BCCI to decide Rohit Sharma’s Test fate in next SGM; Gautam Gambhir’s tenure under scrutiny
Published - 07 Jan 2025, 11:16 AM | Updated - 07 Jan 2025, 11:37 PM
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India's recent performance in Test cricket has been troubling, with six losses in their last eight matches. A rain-affected draw in Brisbane and a solitary win in Perth were the only silver linings in an otherwise dismal run for India in the longest format of the game.
The Indian cricket team’s 1-3 loss came after their whitewash in a three-match Test series at home by New Zealand, marking one of India's worst phases since 2011-12, when they lost eight of 11 Tests—four each in England and Australia, and then VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid made their exit.
BCCI to review Australia tour as India’s Test challenges mount
This time, Ravichandran Ashwin already retired during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, and more departures may follow after the 3-1 Test series defeat against Australia. Speculation also surrounds Rohit Sharma's future in Test cricket. While Rohit dismissed retirement rumors, his poor form and omission from the Sydney Test suggest otherwise.
Well, the upcoming BCCI Special General Meeting, where Devajit Saikia will be taking over as the new board secretary, will discuss the team’s future, including potential changes in leadership, with chief selector Ajit Agarkar and the team management. Rohit Sharma, Gautam Gambhir, and the selectors will soon sit for a detailed review of the Australia tour.
Meanwhile, a BCCI official confirmed that Rohit Sharma's future in India's Test team hangs by a thread after the crushing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 loss to Australia. With India's hopes of making it to the WTC Final 2025 slipping away, the pressure is mounting on the skipper and he will be a central figure in the next SGM on Sunday, January 12.
BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar faces tough call on Rohit Sharma’s Test career
The official also revealed that now Rohit Sharma will have to fight to reclaim his spot or step aside from the Test team but noted that all eyes are on chief selector Ajit Agarkar and his committee to make the call.
Hindustan Times quoted a BCCI official as saying: "Rohit was waiting to see if India could find an escape route to the WTC final. Now, it’s really up to him whether to continue to fight for a spot. But the decision will be down to Ajit Agarkar and his selection committee.”
The Indian cricket team made a lot of tactical blunders against Australia, including playing Harshit Rana over Prasidh Krishna and picking two spinners on a pace-friendly Sydney pitch instead of adding an extra pacer in the final Test. For these calls, Rohit Sharma and the team management are under heavy scrutiny.
Read Also: Rohit Sharma's huge role in Jasprit Bumrah's back injury at SCG exposed
BCCI official reveals Gautam Gambhir's position under the scanner
Even before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, some Indian selectors had allegedly claimed that they had “no role” to play in the choice of pitches used for the New Zealand Test series. This put Gautam Gambhir's role as India’s head coach under scrutiny, as several of his white-ball strategies have struggled to translate into Test success.
Additionally, India's journey under Gautam Gambhir’s leadership began with an ODI series loss in Sri Lanka, adding to the pressure. The upcoming ODI series at home against England, followed by the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in February-March, will be crucial for Gambhir’s tenure.
A board official also pointed out that India's struggles began well before the Australia tour. The decision to prepare spin-friendly pitches at home, only to fail to deliver, was the first setback that hurt their chances of reaching the WTC final.
The board official said, “It’s not just the tour of Australia. The decision to go for rank turners at home and then failing to deliver was the first blow that pushed India back in the race to the WTC finals.”
