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Gautam Gambhir lauded Rohit Sharma for showing ‘accountability’ and keeping the team first.
Gautam Gambhir (L) and Rohit Sharma.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir on Sunday addressed the matter of Rohit Sharma’s non-selection for the Sydney Test.
Ahead of the game, multiple reports cited the Indian skipper was to be dropped from the final fixture of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Several others reported of a divide in the dressing room while a few said that the Indian captain shall retire from the format after the series.
However, Rohit put an end to all rumors on live broadcast. He cleared the air stating that he dropped himself out due to lack of form, adding that he wasn’t going to retire.
Gambhir further added to the hype created around Rohit’s case, calling for more sensibility from the media while reporting on such matters. Addressing the press in Sydney after a 3-1 series defeat, the head coach appreciated Rohit for putting the team ahead in making the big decision.
“The first thing I would like to say is that there were so many reports written and things said, I mean you could be more sensible about it. When a captain or a leader takes a call, keeping the team in mind, I don’t think there’s anything bad. A lot of things have been said, but ultimately, individuals are there, but most importantly, there is the team and the country. I think all players should keep the team ahead of their individual interests. Rohit Sharma showed accountability at the top,” he said.
Gambhir didn’t blame stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah’s inability to bowl in the second innings of the Sydney Test because of a back injury, despite claiming that the 31-year-old was ‘absolutely outstanding’ over the course of the series.
“It would have been nice if he would have been there, but we still had five bowlers, and a good team is one which is not dependent on one individual,” he said.
- Location :
Sydney, Australia
