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Head Coach of Team India Gautam Gambhir has slammed the media over skipper Rohit Sharma's episode during the fifth and final Test against Australia in Sydney. The 43-year-old suggested that the media should have avoided unnecessary speculation and dealt more sensibly.
The statements came amid reports of differences between Gambhir and Rohit during the selection of the playing eleven. Reports also suggested that the players did not follow the team management's plans during the fourth Test in Melbourne.
Gambhir told reporters at the post-match press conference (via Indian Express):
“I would like to say that so many reports have been written and so many things have been said. At least, we can be a little more sensible about it. If a captain, not even a captain, if a leader has taken that decision ahead of his team, then I don't think there's anything wrong with that. So much has been said and much has been said…”
With a lot of talk in the media, Rohit Sharma broke his silence on whether he played his last Test in Melbourne.
'There are very honest players in our dressing room' – Gautam Gambhir backs Rohit Sharma's decision to leave playing XI for 5th Test
Gautam Gambhir also defended skipper Rohit Sharma to stay away from the playing eleven for the fifth Test against Australia in Sydney. He indirectly called Rohit selfless to leave his place to accommodate an in-form player in the best interest of the team with the series at stake.
The comments came even as Rohit managed just 31 runs in his five innings at an underwhelming average of 6.2. The 37-year-old scored 164 runs in his last 15 innings at an average of 10.93, including a solitary half-century.
Gambhir told reporters during the same interaction:
“In the end, the international team is not sitting there, the most important thing is the team and the most important thing is the country. Everyone knows that their play and their effort is the most important thing for any sport and any profession.”
“Because at the end of the day, it's not my team or your team, it's the nation's team. I think that, as I said, there are very honest players in our dressing room who know how hungry they are and whether the team can move forward with their contribution”, he added.
Gambhir added Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli they don't get special treatment because of their stature on the team.
“But yes, regarding my question, my biggest responsibility is that I have to be fair to all the team members. Not just one or two individuals. If I am fair to two or three individuals and not to others, then I am dishonest to myself.”
The Men in Blue, however, lost the 2024-25 BGT series by a margin of 1-3. This was their second consecutive defeat in the series after a 0-3 drubbing during the home series in New Zealand.
Edited by Samya Majumdar
