While Rohit scored 133 runs in those ten innings with just one score above 25 to average just 13.30, Kohli fared slightly better with 192 runs in as many outings, 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 for the first time at home added to the chatter.
“Not at all,” Gambhir responded at the press conference when asked if there were any concerns about the duo’s form. “I don’t have any worries about Virat and Rohit. I think they are incredibly tough men. They have achieved a lot for Indian cricket and they will continue to achieve a lot in the future as well. I think, at most, for me. The important thing is that they continue to work very hard , they still have passion, they still want to achieve a lot more and that is something very important. The hunger in that locker room is incredibly important for me and also for the whole group, especially after what happened in the last series. “.
With Kohli being 36 and Rohit 37, questions have also been raised about the inevitable transition of the Indian Test team. With R Ashwin 38 and Ravindra Jadeja turning 36 next month, Gambhir was asked how he saw this phase as a coach, especially as it was part of the previous cycle of changes as a player when players like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and others left. they withdrew.
“Look, honestly, I’m not even thinking about the team being in transition and that kind of stuff,” Gambhir said. “The only thing on my mind right now is that we are going to Australia to play five Test matches. And I’ve said it, there are incredibly tough people in that dressing room who have to achieve a lot of good things in the future as well. So you can keep talking about the transition and all that. For me, I think they are still very hungry and until the time they are very hungry, I am sure they will have a very good chance to achieve many successes for the nation.
“And his passion for the country should never be doubted. So I feel that transition or no transition, those things can happen, and will continue to happen in Indian cricket, but right now what is important is the five Test matches.”
Looking back, Gambhir accepted that India were “outclassed” by New Zealand, but he was not looking at the WTC scenarios and was relying on the team’s experience to meet 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 outclassed in all three departments,” Gambhir said. “They were more professional and we accepted that. And I think we take the criticism we are receiving with both hands and continue to move forward, improving every day. Three Test matches earlier, we had an amazing Test match in Kanpur. [against Bangladesh]. So I know we haven’t played our best cricket but that doesn’t change the fact that Australia is a new series and we came out thinking we are definitely going to try and win that series.
“The first and main challenge is obviously the conditions. In these ten days, if we can get a good and adequate preparation before the start of the series, I think we will be in very good shape. And we have a lot of experienced players who have “I have been to Australia many times. His experience will also be useful for the young players. These ten days will be very crucial, but when the 22nd arrives in the morning, I think we should be absolutely ready for ball one.”
