While Rohit registered 133 runs in these ten innings with just one score above 25, at an average of just 13.30, Kohli fared slightly better with 192 runs in as many matches, for an average of 21.33. The fact that India lost a Test series at home for the first time in 12 years and were whitewashed 3-0 at home for the first time added to the chatter.
“No way,” Gambhir responded at the press conference when asked if there were any concerns surrounding the duo’s form. “I have no concerns about Virat and Rohit. I think they are incredibly tough men. They have achieved a lot for Indian cricket and will continue to achieve a lot in the future as well. I think, at most, for me the important thing is that they still work hard, They are still passionate, they still want to achieve much more and that is something very important. The hunger in that locker room is extremely important for me and for the whole group as well. “
As Kohli is 36 and Rohit 37, questions have also arisen about the inevitable transition of India’s Test team. With R Ashwin 38 and Ravindra Jadeja turning 36 next month Gambhir was asked how he was approaching this phase as a coach especially as he was part of the previous cycle of change as a player when players like Sachin Tendulkar Rahul Dravid VVS Laxman and others retired .
“Look, honestly, I’m not even thinking about the team being in transition and that kind of thing,” Gambhir said. “The only thing I have in mind at the moment is that we are going to Australia to play five Test matches. And I said there are some incredibly difficult people in that locker room who need to achieve a lot of good things. in the future too. So you can keep talking about the transition and all that stuff. For me, I think they are still very hungry and until the moment they are very hungry, I’m sure they are. a lot of fire to achieve much success for the nation.
“And you should never doubt their passion for their country. So I feel with or without transition, these things can happen, and will continue to happen in Indian cricket, but at the moment it is the five Test matches that are important.
Looking back, Gambhir accepted that India were “outclassed” by New Zealand, but he was not looking at the WTC scenarios and banking on the team’s experience to face the challenges of winning a series in Australia.
“I’m not going to sit here and defend [the loss against New Zealand]; I think we were defeated in all three departments,” said Gambhir. “They were more professional and we accepted that. And I think that the criticism we are receiving, we take it with both hands and we move forward, improving every day. Three Test matches earlier, we had an amazing Test match in Kanpur [against Bangladesh]. So I know we didn’t play our best cricket, but that doesn’t change the fact that Australia is a new series and we go there thinking that we will definitely try to win this series.
“The first and most important challenge is obviously the conditions. In these ten days, if we can get good and adequate preparation before the start of the series, I think we will be in good shape. And we have a lot of experienced players who have been to Australia many times. Their experience will also be useful for the young players. These ten days will be crucial, but on the morning of the 22nd, I think we must be absolutely ready for it.
S Sudarshanan is deputy editor at ESPNcricinfo. @Sudarshanan7
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