Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are keen on playing the 2027 ODI World Cup but India head coach Gautam Gambhir was non-committal over the star duo’s future on Tuesday, saying the ODI World Cup is still more than two years away and “it is important to stay in the present”.
With Shubman Gill’s appointment as the ODI skipper, the national selectors have already hit the transition button in ODI cricket and there is a lot of doubt over the future of the ageing stalwarts who will be 39 (Kohli) and 40 (Rohit) respectively in 2027.
“The 50-over World Cup is still two and a half years away. It is very important to stay in the present. Obviously they are quality players. They are coming back. Their experience is going to be valuable in Australia. “Hopefully those two guys can have a successful tour, and more importantly, as a team we can have a successful series,” Gambhir said when asked about the future of the two former skippers. It is believed that a lot will depend on how the duo plays in the nine ODIs in the next couple of months (three vs Australia, three vs SA and three vs NZ).
‘Playing domestic is important’
Gautam Gambhir
India head coach Gautam Gambhir wants Test specialists to play Ranji Trophy for their states to get game time ahead of the South Africa series rather than undergoing skill-set training at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Gautam Gambhir understands that there is quick turnaround as India’s T20 squad play their last game against Australia in Brisbane on November 9 and the first Test against South Africa starts on November 14 in Kolkata.
“Sometimes it is difficult, but that is what professionalism is all about. Try and use the days to the best of their ability because we know that there are very quick turnarounds, especially from here to one-day cricket, then T20 cricket, and then, what, after four days, back to Test cricket,” the coach tried explaining his rationale. “But again, the guys who are just part of Test cricket, for them to prepare and play domestic cricket is very, very important. Rather than just going to NCA [COE] and working on their skills, the more they play for the Test matches, it is very important,” he added.
‘Shameful to target Rana’
Harshit Rana
India head coach Gautam Gambhir hit back at former chairman of selectors Kris Srikkanth for alleging that pacer Harshit Rana has been picked for the ODI tour of Australia for being a “constant yes man” to him. “Look, it’s extremely shameful. If you are criticising 23-year-olds to run your YouTube channel, that is unfair,” Gambhir replied to a query from PTI.
“His father is not an ex-chairman [of selectors], or ex-cricketer or an NRI. He has played cricket on his own merit and he will continue to do so. Targeting individuals is not fair,” a livid Gambhir said.
‘Gill deserves to be captain’
Shubman Gill
As he turned 44 on Tuesday, Gautam Gambhir had more than one reason to celebrate with India completing a Test series sweep over the West Indies, which was also Gill’s first series triumph as captain.
Asked how is he managing the 26-year-old, Gambhir was prompt with his response. “[By] just allowing him to be himself. I think no one has done him a favour by appointing him the Test captain or [the] one-day captain. I think he deserves every bit of it,” Gambhir said.
“I think he’s worked hard. He has already passed his toughest test as captain — that was in England, five Tests away from home in tough conditions against a quality team,” he added.
“I know it’s tough for him…and I’ve said it many times, that England was probably the toughest test for him. Five Test matches over the course of two, two and a half months, against a quality England side. What more could he have faced?” he asked.
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