Concerns have been raised about the future of Rohit Sharma as the Test captain and Gautam Gambhir’s effectiveness as head coach, amid the team’s struggles in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
With a must-win scenario looming in the fifth and final Test in Sydney, the stakes are high for India to retain the prestigious trophy.
Since assuming the role of head coach in July, Gambhir has reportedly faced difficulties in building strong connections with certain players, further compounding the challenges the team faces.
A report by The Times of India suggests that Rohit is “unlikely” to continue in the Indian Test setup after the series against Australia. However, he is expected to delay any announcement about his retirement to avoid adding further strain to the already fraught team environment.
This uncertainty leaves the team in a precarious position.
Notably, Virat Kohli has shown signs of stepping back into a leadership role and the TOI report does mention him returning as the Test skipper. Throughout the series, Kohli has been increasingly vocal on the field, often leading team huddles and mentoring younger players.
The current leadership dynamic appears to have shifted, with Kohli taking on more responsibility amid concerns over a lack of preparation and confidence in the younger generation of players. This evolving scenario further underscores the instability within the team.
Kohli stepped down from the role as India’s most successful Test captain. He led India in 68 matches with an outstanding win rate, winning 40 matches while only losing 17.
He was also the first Indian captain to win a Test series in Australia (a 2-1 success in 2018/19). His possible re-elevation could stem from the fact that the selectors may not have enough faith in the younger generation of players, as far as captaincy in concerned.
