In a major development, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has called for a crucial meeting with Gautam Gambhir, the current head coach of the Indian team. The meeting will focus on reviewing Team India’s recent performances, particularly the dismal tours to New Zealand and Australia. One of the main topics of discussion will be the future of senior batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, both of whom have struggled for form in recent months.
Gambhir, along with chief selector Ajit Agarkar, will meet BCCI officials to evaluate the team’s performance in the 2023-2024 season and assess whether the senior players should continue as a part of India’s future plans. The Indian team suffered back-to-back defeats against New Zealand at home and Australia away, which has raised questions about the leadership and batting lineup.
Both Kohli and Rohit have been stalwarts in Indian cricket for over a decade. However, their recent performances have been underwhelming. Kohli, despite his glorious history in ODIs, has not been able to replicate his previous form, and Rohit has also faced a tough time. In the series against Sri Lanka, Kohli’s scores were far from impressive, with just 24, 14, and 20 runs. Rohit’s scores of 58, 64, and 35 were more solid, but still, there is a sense of underperformance compared to their past standards.
In Australia, Kohli had a mixed tour, with a century in Perth, but his overall run tally was just 190 at an average of 23.75. Rohit, who missed the first Test and chose to sit out the fifth match, could only manage 31 runs in his appearances, at a poor average of 6.2. Such performances have left many questioning their place in the future of Indian cricket, especially in the longest format.
The BCCI is likely to focus on the upcoming Champions Trophy as a potential turning point. Since both players have excelled in this format in the past, they might get another chance to prove themselves. However, the selectors and BCCI officials are still unsure whether they should start a new phase of the team or wait until after the Champions Trophy. The senior batters may still get a shot, but the question is whether they can return to form in time.
On top of that, there will be a deeper dive into their Test careers. With an upcoming away series against England, the BCCI will carefully evaluate their prospects in the longer format. Kohli and Rohit have both faced issues in Tests, and the team’s future performance may depend on how they do in these tough conditions.
The review meeting could also touch upon the performance of Gambhir and his coaching staff. Since Gambhir took over as the head coach, his leadership has come under scrutiny due to the team’s fluctuating form. The BCCI may seek Gambhir’s insights on how he plans to manage the team’s transition during this phase and whether changes are needed to handle the senior players.
Apart from the discussion on Kohli and Rohit, there will also be a focus on the selection for the upcoming Champions Trophy. The selectors are scheduled to meet on January 13 to finalize the squad. India will face Bangladesh on February 20 to kick off their Champions Trophy campaign in the UAE. Key players like Jasprit Bumrah, who is recovering from back spasms, and Mohammed Shami, returning after an ankle injury, will be assessed. The selectors are keeping a close eye on their fitness, and Shami’s recent domestic performances have raised hopes that he will be available for the tournament.
Youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal is also in the mix after a strong start to his international career, having impressed in Tests and T20Is. His inclusion in the squad could be a significant talking point.
Additionally, the selectors will look at the India squad for the series against England in January. India will play five T20Is and three ODIs at home starting January 22. With key players like Bumrah and Akash Deep missing out on the white-ball series, the selectors will have to make some tough choices.
While the final team for the Champions Trophy won’t be announced immediately, the discussions around the team’s future are expected to shape Indian cricket for the upcoming season. The key focus will be balancing the experience of senior players with the promise of younger talent.
