"Play domestic cricket": Gautam Gambhir's strict message to Kohli, Rohit after BGT disaster

Gautam Gambhir has sparked a fiery discussion on the importance of domestic cricket after being asked whether he would like some of the senior players to at least play one round in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 after India’s embarrassing Test series loss to Australia.

On Sunday, January 5, Australia defeated India by six wickets in the fifth and final Test to clinch the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Australia chased down the target of 162 in 27 overs, losing four wickets, to clinch the Test series 3-1 against India.

Gautam Gambhir ignites debate on Domestic Cricket after India’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 loss

Usman Khawaja was the top scorer with 41 runs, while Travis Head remained unbeaten on 32. Debutant Beau Webster also played a key role, finishing not out on 39. For India, pacer Prasidh Krishna was the standout performer, taking three wickets in Australia’s second innings.

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With this dominating victory, Australia threw India out of the race and confirmed their place in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final for the second year in a row. Now, Australia will face South Africa in the WTC Final 2025 at Lord’s from June 11 to 15, 2025.

After India lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in a decade, Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir faced the question of whether the team’s senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra should go back to domestic cricket to regain their form as they struggled throughout the Test series in Australia. And as usual, Gambhir responded straightforwardly at the SCG.

I would always like everyone to play domestic cricket: Gautam Gambhir

In a powerful statement, the Indian coach has emphasized that domestic cricket cannot be overlooked if India wants to nurture top-class talent for Test cricket. Gambhir firmly believes that every player, especially those available, should commit to playing domestic cricket, not just for one Ranji Trophy round but consistently.

The former Indian batter has insisted that overlooking domestic cricket would not help India in discovering the top-level players for Test cricket. Gautam Gambhir’s message was clear: the Indian players must first give domestic cricket the importance it truly deserves if they want to rise to the challenge of international cricket, not just Test cricket.

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Gautam Gambhir said at the post-match presentation: “I would always like everyone to play domestic cricket. Everyone should play domestic cricket. That is how much important domestic cricket has to be given. Not only one game. If they are available and they have the commitment to play red ball cricket, everyone should play domestic cricket.

As simple as it can get. If you don't give importance to domestic cricket, you will never get the desired players you want in Test cricket. So, whoever is available should go and play domestic cricket.”

Gautam Gambhir stresses self-awareness and fairness after India's tough BGT 2024-25 loss

Meanwhile, Gautam Gambhir emphasized the importance of self-awareness, saying that each player knows their own desire and passion to play for the country, as Team India could win only one game in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

The Indian head coach also believes there are honest players in the team who understand how their contributions can help the team. He also highlighted his fairness in managing the team after the tough Australia tour.

Gambhir signed off by saying, “Every individual is well aware of his hunger and passion to play for the country. We have honest people in our dressing room who know how much their contribution could benefit the team. I’m fair with everyone, which is my job.”