Future of Kohli, Rohit up to them: Gambhir

Sydney: India Head Coach Gautam Gambhir has refrained from speculating on the future of veteran cricketers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma but lauded their commitment and passion for the game.

Speaking to reporters, Gambhir said, "I can’t talk about the future of any player. It’s up to them. But, yes, what I can say is they still have the hunger, they still have the passion. They are tough people. I hope they will do everything they can to take Indian cricket forward. But, like I said, whatever they do, they will plan for the best interests of Indian cricket."

The comments come amidst their dismal batting show in the just-concluded five-Test series against Australia Down Under, and speculations surrounding their roles in future. Rohit Sharma managed just 31 runs in five innings, with a highest score of 10, before opting to sit out the final Test.

Virat Kohli fared slightly better, scoring 190 runs in nine innings, though 100 of those came in a single knock in Perth. The duo also endured a disappointing series against New Zealand, where Rohit scored 91 runs and Kohli 93 across six innings each.

However, Gambhir commended Rohit Sharma for his decision to step down as captain following a disappointing performance in the series.

Gambhir described Rohit's move to hand over the captaincy to Jasprit Bumrah as a selfless and team-first decision, though it did not ultimately change the series' outcome.

Despite the failures, Gambhir lauded Rohit's prioritisation of team interests over personal ambitions. "It takes immense courage to admit when things aren’t working and step aside for the greater good of the team," Gambhir said, while also urging the media to exercise restraint in their criticism of the beleaguered cricketer.

India's fortunes in the series, however, did not improve under new leadership. The team lost the final Test in Sydney by six wickets, culminating in a 1-3 series defeat. Gambhir, while addressing Rohit's future in the playing XI, refused to confirm his inclusion for the Sydney Test, citing pitch conditions as the decisive factor.