Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar weighed in on the captaincy situation for India ahead of the highly anticipated Test series against Australia, expressing that if Rohit Sharma is unavailable for the first Test, Jasprit Bumrah should lead the team throughout the entire tour.
With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series set to commence on November 22 in Perth, Rohit is expected to miss the opening match due to the impending birth of his second child. It is anticipated that he will join the squad for the second Test, although his exact schedule remains uncertain.
Gavaskar emphasized the significance of the captain being present for the first Test. “If Rohit is not playing the first Test match, it puts a lot of pressure on the deputy leader,” he said in an interview with Sports Tak. “In that scenario, the selection committee should appoint Jasprit Bumrah as the captain for the entire Australia tour, and Rohit should participate only as a player for this series.”
While Gavaskar acknowledged Rohit’s recent struggles, noting that he has accumulated less than 100 runs across three Tests against New Zealand at home, he urged the importance of focusing on the team’s performance in Australia.
He further opined on India’s challenges regarding the World Test Championship (WTC). “India needs to win four out of five Tests in Australia to qualify for the WTC Final,” he cautioned, adding, “I don’t believe India can achieve a 4-0 victory in this series. If they manage to win 3-1, that would be impressive, but 4-0 is unrealistic.”
Gavaskar stated, “The ultimate goal should be to win the series, regardless of whether it ends 1-0, 2-0, 3-0, or 3-1. Winning in Australia is crucial for restoring the confidence of Indian cricket fans.”
When asked about the pressure on seasoned players like Rohit and Virat Kohli, Gavaskar remarked, “The clock is ticking for everyone, not just them. However, being in their mid-30s makes it tougher for them compared to younger players. The key is to keep playing and preparing for the demands of modern cricket.”
He acknowledged the unusual scenario where both Rohit and Kohli are simultaneously in a poor run of form, highlighting that this has been an uncommon phase for them. Gavaskar stressed that how players recover from slumps will define their legacy in the sport.
As for the future of the Indian Test team, Gavaskar pointed out, “The performances in Australia will be crucial. If they fail to score runs, there will be calls for a new direction for the team starting from the tour of England.”
On reviewing Gautam Gambhir’s short tenure as head coach, Gavaskar succinctly noted, “The results tell the story. India’s recent performances, particularly the loss in Sri Lanka and now in this series, highlight the challenges faced.”
With the Australia tour looming, all eyes will be on how the Indian team navigates these challenges, especially with the leadership in question.