Gautam Gambhir sparked a fiery debate on the importance of domestic cricket after he was asked if he would like some of the senior players to play at least one innings in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy 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 win the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Australia chased down a target of 162 in 27 overs, losing four wickets, to clinch the Test series 3-1 against India.
Gautam Gambhir stirs up controversy in domestic cricket after India’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 loss
Usman Khawaja was the top scorer with 41 points, while Travis Head remained unbeaten with 32 points. Debutant Beau Webster also played a key role, not out in the 39th over. For India, it was spinner Prasidh Krishna who was the standout performer, taking three wickets in Australia’s second innings. Roles.
With this dominant victory, Australia knocked India out of the running and confirmed their place in the final of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 for the second year in a row. Now, Australia will face South Africa in the 2025 WTC Final at Lord’s from June 11-15, 2025.
After India lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in a decade, Indian coach Gautam Gambhir faced the question of whether the team’s top players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra should return to domestic cricket to regain their form. They struggled throughout the Test series in Australia. As usual, Gambhir responded directly at the SCG.
I always want everyone to play domestic cricket: Gautam Gambhir
In a strong statement, the Indian coach 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 the available players, should commit to playing domestic cricket, not just for one round of the Ranji Trophy but continuously.
The former India batsman insisted that losing sight of domestic cricket will not help India unearth high-level players in Test cricket. Gautam Gambhir’s message was clear: Indian players must first give domestic cricket the importance it truly deserves if they want to rise to the challenge of international cricket, and not just Test cricket.
Gautam Gambhir said in the post-match presentation: “I would always like everyone to play domestic cricket. Everyone should play domestic cricket. That’s how important domestic cricket should be given. It’s not just one game. If they are available and 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 required players you want in Test cricket. So, anyone who is available should go and play local cricket.
Gautam Gambhir stresses self-awareness and fairness after India’s tough loss in BGT 2024-25
Meanwhile, Gautam Gambhir stressed the importance of self-awareness, saying that every player knows their own desire and passion to play for the country, as Team India has only managed to win one match in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
The Indian coach also believes that there are honest players in the team who understand how their contributions can help the team. He also highlighted his integrity in managing the team after the difficult tour of Australia.
Gambhir signed off by saying: “Everyone is well aware of his hunger and passion to play for the country. We have honest people in our locker room who know how beneficial their contribution is to the team. “I am fair to everyone, and that is my job.”
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