"Shouldn’t be considered for selection" - Sunil Gavaskar gives stern message to BCCI on Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma

Legendary India batter Sunil Gavaskar has asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to bring in big changes to the cricket team after India's recent defeat to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Gavaskar was clearly unhappy with India's loss and also asked for the end of star culture in Indian cricket, referring to Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's poor form throughout the series.

India recently lost the Test series to Australia 1-3 and were eventually knocked out of the race for the World Test Championship Final as well. The Men in Blue were the holders of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy from the last four occasions but Australia finally managed to win it after a decade.

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Sunil Gavaskar calls for "star culture" in Indian cricket to end

While speaking to India Today, Sunil Gavaskar called the next few days as important and called for an end to the star culture in Indian cricket. Gavaskar also asked the players to be available for every series instead of opting for rest.

“I think the next 8–10 days are crucial for Indian cricket to take a good, honest look at itself. Most importantly, the star culture has to end. Total commitment to Indian cricket is non-negotiable," Sunil Gavaskar said.

“Players must make themselves available every single time unless there’s a genuine medical emergency. If someone isn’t fully committed, they shouldn’t be considered for selection," he added.

In a stern warning to the players, the former India opener wants them to be available for every international assignment after the embarrassing defeat to Australia recently.

“We don’t need players who are partly here and partly elsewhere. It’s time to stop pampering anyone. The recent results have been disappointing—we should have been in the World Test Championship final but didn’t make it," he reckoned.

Poor returns for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma

Sunil Gavaskar was clearly referring to India's senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma when he was speaking on the star culture in the team, although, he didn't take any names. Recently, Kohli and Rohit had disappointing returns with the bat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Kohli scored 190 runs in five Tests at an average of 23.75 while Rohit scored 31 runs in three Tests at a miserable average of 6.20. There have been speculations about their retirement after the series but both the players have given no hint on hanging up their boots so far.

“Stop acting like admirers" - Sunil Gavaskar to BCCI

Sunil Gavaskar called the BCCI to take a big action after India's recent defeat. He asked the board to ensure that the players prioritize their country first, otherwise, they can't be assured for a place.

“The cricket board needs to stop acting like admirers and put their foot down. They must tell the players that Indian cricket comes first. It’s either a full commitment to Indian cricket or other priorities, you can’t have it both ways. If Indian cricket is your priority, only then should you be selected," Gavaskar observed.

It seems unlikely that the BCCI will take any stern action after India's failure to qualify for the World Test Championship Final. Rohit Sharma has already made it clear that he is not retiring and vows to play in the upcoming future.

India's next Test series will be played in June on the tour of England. It remains to be seen whether Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli make it to that tour after having plenty of problems with the moving ball on the recent tour of Australia.