Gautam Gambhir's 'agenda' behind forcing Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli into Test retirement exposed
Published - 13 May 2025, 11:00 AM | Updated - 13 May 2025, 01:55 PM
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In what has been the latest development, as per the reports in PTI, it is learned that the India National Cricket Team head coach Gautam Gambhir played a key role in the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. He was keen to have fresh faces in the team for the next edition of the ICC World Test Championship.
The India National Cricket Team was jolted with the two massive blows over the course of the last seven days. First, captain Rohit Sharma retired from Tests, and then on Monday (12th May), it was Virat Kohli who followed the same path and called time on his Test career.
Fate of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli sealed after the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25
The reports claimed that with Gautam Gambhir's desire to have fresh faces for the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, it was learned that the fate of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli was sealed after the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Notably, India lost that series by a margin of 3-1.
The runs for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli dried up, and both the pioneers of Indian cricket had a tough time in the series. They also faced a lot of criticism for their poor performances as well, but not many at the time imagined that the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 would be their last in whites.
Gautam Gambhir's main objective was to eliminate the star culture from the team
The reports in PTI added that Gautam Gambhir's main objective was to eliminate star culture from the team, and with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin gone, there aren't many superstars left inside the Indian dressing room. This now gives full control to the head coach.
It is learned that Gautam Gambhir might very well become the first Indian head coach who could have more power than the skipper. The head coach also got support from Ajit Agarkar in his decision to have fresh faces in the new cycle of the ICC World Test Championship.
Five-match Test series against England will be a make-or-break series for Gautam Gambhir
A source close to BCCI also talked about Gambhir's decision to have fresh faces, adding that he wasn't keen to carry seniors in the longest format of the game. Speaking to PTI, he said:
"The Gautam Gambhir era begins now. He was categorical that during the next WTC cycle, India needed to have fresh faces. Everyone associated with decision-making knew where Gambhir stood in terms of carrying seniors in the longest format. Obviously, his and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar's thoughts aligned."
The reports added that Shubman Gill will be taking over the charge of the Test team now. The name of Jasprit Bumrah also popped up, but it is unlikely that the pacer will be given a leadership role. Gautam Gambhir wanted BCCI to empower him so that there wouldn't be a debacle like the New Zealand series and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.
It is also reported that the five-match Test series against England will be a make-or-break series for Gambhir in the longest format of the game. His coaching in the format has always been under the scanner, and he would want to take the team to glory this time around.
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