Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli's days numbered as BCCI initiates strict action after New Zealand whitewash

Senior players of the India National Cricket Team are set to face the punishment for the Test series loss against the New Zealand National Cricket Team. As per the reports in PTI, it is learned that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has provided the ultimatum to the big names related to their future in the Test team.

The reports claimed that if the India National Cricket Team didn't qualify for the final of the ICC World Test Championship, then the senior players of the team would be dropped. It is learned that Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja have already played their last game at home in Tests.

Watch: Gautam Gambhir, Ajit Agarkar's tense exchange sparks rumors of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli's Test exit

In any case, all four have likely played their final Test at home together - BCCI source on Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja

The reports added that if the India National Cricket Team doesn't play the final of the ICC World Test Championship, then super seniors won’t be part of the team for the five-match Test series against the England National Cricket Team. The source close to the development while taking to PTI stated:

“But if India doesn’t qualify for the WTC final in England, one can rest assured that all four super seniors won’t be on that flight to the UK for the ensuing five-Test series. In any case, all four have likely played their final Test at home together,"

BCCI will be having discussions with Ajit Agarkar, Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma

Not only this, but the reports also suggested that top officials of BCCI will be having discussions with the Chairman of Selectors Ajit Agarkar, Head Coach Gautam Gambhir, and the skipper Rohit Sharma. This is because the governing body is keen to see how they can take the aging team forward.

This means that all four senior players, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, will be under pressure to make an impact in the Test series against the Australia National Cricket Team. They all have been named in the squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

India need to win four games and draw one Test to qualify for the final of the ICC World Test Championship

For India to qualify for the final of the ICC World Test Championship, they need to win four games and draw one Test. They will be playing all the last five games in Australia and it would require a humongous effort from them if they have to make it into the final of the tournament.

India has only itself to blame for putting itself in this kind of situation. They faced a thrashing 3-0 whitewash against the New Zealand National Cricket Team at home, and it saw their chances to qualify for the World Test Championship taking a massive hit as they were almost sure shot to make it into the final.

Senior players in Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli failed to make an impact with the bat, while on the other hand, Ravichandran Ashwin looked off colours. Ravindra Jadeja didn't look in rhythm in the first two games but found his mojo with the ball in the last game, where he took 10 wickets at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

It will no doubt be a tough pill to swallow for the India National Cricket Team. But with the kind of things they have done in the past, it won't be a surprise if they do something special in the next series and reach the final.