"Rohit Sharma is right" - Sunil Gavaskar issues indirect warning to Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer after captain's 'hunger' statement

Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar has agreed with Rohit Sharma’s statement wherein he said the players who have a hunger to play red-ball cricket will be given the opportunity and the players with no hunger will be sidelined. Gavaskar while reacting to Rohit’s comments, backed the Indian captain. He echoed his comments and issued a strong warning to the players.

In the past days, BCCI had made it mandatory for players, who have been off the field without a reason, to play Test cricket. However, players such as Ishan Kishan pulled out of the IND vs ENG Test series selection and are currently preparing for the IPL 2024. He didn’t join his domestic team Jharkhand for the second round of the Ranji Trophy.

The same was the case with Shreyas Iyer. Iyer was supposed to join the Mumbai squad after his exclusion from the Indian Test side due to his poor form. However, Iyer didn’t return to domestic cricket citing back pain as the reason, though, the NCA has given the medical clearance to Iyer for playing domestic cricket.

Speaking to SportsTak, Sunil Gavaskar mentioned that the players who have the will to play Test cricket shall be only considered. Gavaskar stated that the Indian players are solely because of the Indian cricket where they are today due to which in return a certain loyalty is expected from the players.

Sunil Gavaskar supports Rohit Sharma

Sunil Gavaskar said, “Players who desire to play Test cricket for India should be the only ones considered. It’s solely because of Indian cricket that players are where they are today, and whatever wealth and riches they possess is a contribution of our country’s cricket. Therefore, a certain loyalty towards Indian cricket is expected from the players.”

Sunil Gavaskar further added that Rohit Sharma is absolutely right in his statement and stated that the preference should be only given to those players who have the hunger to play Test cricket. He said, “Now if players start dictating terms like ‘I don’t want to play this or that,’ Rohit Sharma is right in saying that preference should be given only to those who have the hunger. In my opinion, this is something the selection committee should also keep in mind. However, there shouldn’t be a pick and choose based on players’ whims.”

India achieved a five-wicket win in the fourth Test against England and they were able to gain an unassailable lead in the five-match series by 3-1. Dhruv Jurel and Shubman Gill kept their calm and composure and ensured that India crossed the line and chased down 192 runs.

This was the first time after 2013 that India chased down over 150 runs in India whereas this was India’s 17th consecutive Test series win at home. India have not lost a Test series at home from the year 2013.

India would now be hoping to win the 5th Test match all set to be played at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala. The Indian team will want to win the five-match series by 4-1.