Pat Cummins-led Australian cricket team defeated Jasprit Bumrah's India by 6 wickets in the fifth Test which was played at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground to clinch the series 3-1 and claim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in almost a decade. Throughout the series, senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were on the receiving end of criticism over their subpar performance and now a big question remains over their future in the format. However, Gautam Gambhir answered this query following the match.
Gambhir on Rohit and Virat's future
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma still have the desire to succeed and will choose their Test futures with the team's best interests in mind, according to India head coach Gautam Gambhir.
"They are tough people with hunger, they'll decide what is best for Indian cricket," said Gambhir at the post-match media interaction.
"To keep the dressing room happy, I have to be honest and fair to everyone. Rohit Sharma showed accountability at the top," said the head coach.
Due to a lean patch with the bat, India skipper Rohit opted to rest for the last Test. During the series, Kohli also had trouble and got out on the same way 8 times. Additionally, Gambhir stated unequivocally that if someone "had commitment towards red-ball cricket," he would welcome them to participate in the domestic circuit. The remark appeared to be aimed at senior players on the team who were not part of the Ranji Trophy.
India fail to reach WTC Final
For the first time in the competition's history, India will not go to the World Test Championship (WTC) final. India will not participate in the Lord's final in June 2025, despite having advanced to the final in 2021 and 2023. On Sunday, January 5, India lost the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy by six wickets in Sydney, ensuring their elimination.
Australia advanced to the final after winning the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 3-1, ending their ten-year quest for the prized award. Later this month, Australia will play a two-match Test series, but the outcome of the series will not impact their prospects. During the 2023–25 WTC cycle, India played 19 Test matches, winning 9, losing 8 and drawing two.