Lagatar24 Desk
Sydney: Former cricketer Gautam Gambhir has stressed the significance of domestic cricket for Indian players to maintain their prowess in Test matches. Speaking after India’s 1-3 defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, Gambhir highlighted the role of domestic cricket in honing red-ball skills.
“I would always like everyone to play domestic cricket. That is how much importance domestic cricket needs to be given. Not only one game,” Gambhir remarked during a press conference.
Concerns Over Batting Woes
India’s batting struggles were evident, with the team dismissed for sub-200 totals in six out of nine innings in Australia. Similar issues were seen at home, including a dismal 46-all-out against New Zealand. Gambhir attributed these failures partly to spicy pitches and the lack of domestic match exposure for top players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who last played Ranji Trophy matches in 2012 and 2015, respectively.
“Everything boils down to temperament and the willingness to play tough moments,” Gambhir said. He emphasized converting small scores into big hundreds to relieve pressure on bowlers.
Senior Players Under Scrutiny
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s inconsistent performances raised questions about their roles in the future. While Rohit struggled with form, Kohli’s vulnerability outside off-stump was exploited throughout the series. Gambhir refrained from speculating on their futures but praised their hunger and passion.
“Every individual knows where their game and hunger are. It is about whether the team moves forward with their contribution,” he noted.
Positive Takeaways
Despite the series loss, Gambhir pointed out positives, including impressive performances from younger players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Nitish Reddy, and Mohammad Siraj. He praised Siraj’s resilience and commitment, even when not fully fit.
“Attitude matters. Siraj ran in every ball and fought till the end. That’s what it means to play for the country,” Gambhir said.
Looking Ahead
India’s next Test series, scheduled six months later in England, offers time to address batting and bowling concerns. Gambhir reiterated the importance of fairness in team selection and the need for players to balance domestic and international commitments to bolster India’s Test cricket foundation.
