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Gautam Gambhir was seen having a lengthy discussion with Jasprit Bumrah and Ajit Agarkar.
Gautam Gambhir speaking to Jasprit Bumrah (AFP)
Ahead of the fifth and last Test for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), Indian men’s cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir and Jasprit Bumrah were spotted having an intense discussion on Thursday.
According to reports from SCG, Gambhir then proceeded to have a talk with chief selector Ajit Agarkar, while the other players warmed up.
This comes amid swirling speculation that regular skipper Rohit Sharma’s place is not confirmed in the team.
Rohit, just like Melbourne, was last among recognised batters to enter the nets but this was after head coach Gautam Gambhir refused to confirm whether the out-of-form skipper will be at the toss on Friday morning.
“We will take a call on the playing XI after looking at the pitch,” Gambhir gave a cryptic reply to a straight query on whether Rohit will play.
If it happens, Rohit will become the first Indian captain to be dropped on account of poor form. His abysmal return of 31 runs from five innings ultimately became his undoing.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Anil Kumble walked into Test retirements mid-series as their bodies could no longer take the rigours of the longest format. However, in Rohit’s case, he will be dropped on the basis of form after Gambhir made it clear that performance is the only thing that would keep a player in the dressing room helmed by him.
ALSO READ | Gautam Gambhir Yet To Decide On Rohit Sharma’s Inclusion In Playing XI For Sydney Test
Trailing 1-2, a win for Australia will seal their place in the final at the Lord’s against South Africa.
India, on the other hand, not only require a win but also need Sri Lanka to not lose any of their two Tests at home against Pat Cummins’ men.
There are reports that Rishabh Pant’s shot selection has invited the wrath of Gambhir, who is now planning a rap on the knuckles by dropping him in favour of Dhruv Jurel.
If Pant is indeed axed from the game, it would be a redux of the time when legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev was taught a lesson for his poor shot selection during a 1984 tour of England with a similar omission.
During practice on Thursday, Jurel got the same net time as his senior.
When a reporter asked if had some stern words for the boys post the 184-run drubbing in Melbourne, Gambhir didn’t deny having an “honest conversation” and also stressed on the need to play for the team’s cause.
Pant was also seen engaged in a long conversation with vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah.
While Rohit’s position in eleven isn’t clear, India will have to make one change owing to Akash Deep’s stiff back that has forced him out.
Harshit Rana could be in but with his questionable consistency and drop in speed in the second and third spells, Prasidh Krishna can’t be ruled out either.
ALSO READ | Akash Deep Set To Miss Sydney Test Due To Back Issue, Gautam Gambhir Confirms
While Gambhir didn’t spell out the playing eleven, there were enough indications that India might bring back Shubman Gill at number three.
“Indian cricket’s transition is in safe hands as long as there are honest people in the dressing room. Only criteria to be in that dressing room is performance,” Gambhir said at the pre-match press conference.
(With inputs from Agencies)
- Location :
Sydney, Australia
