“We can be a bit more sensible about it” – Gautam Gambhir slams media over Rohit Sharma saga in BGT 2024-25 5th Test

Head coach of the Indian team Gautam Gambhir has lashed out at the media over captain Rohit Sharma’s episode during the fifth and final Test against Australia in Sydney. The 43-year-old suggested that the media should have avoided unnecessary speculation and handled it more sensibly.

The remarks came amid reports of differences between Gambhir and Rohit in picking the playing XI. Reports also suggested that the players did not follow the team management’s plans during the fourth Test in Melbourne.

Gambhir told reporters at the post-match press conference (via Indian Express):

“I would like to say that so many reports have been written and so much said. At least we can be a little more reasonable in this respect. If the captain, not even the captain, if the leader made this decision in front of his team, then I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. So, a lot has been said and a lot has been said..”

With a lot of talk in the media, Rohit Sharma broke his silence on whether he played his last Test in Melbourne.

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“There are very honest players in our dressing room” – Gautam Gambhir backs Rohit Sharma’s decision to leave his place in the playing XI for the 5th Test

Gautam Gambhir also defended captain Rohit Sharma as he left the playing line-up for the fifth Test against Australia in Sydney. He indirectly called Rohit selfless for leaving his place to accommodate the in-form player in the best interest of the team with the series on the line.

The remarks came even after Rohit managed just 31 runs in his five innings at an underwhelming average of 6.2. The 37-year-old managed 164 runs in the last 15 innings at an average of 10.93, including a solitary half-century.

Gambhir told reporters during the same interaction:

“Ultimately, the international team is not sitting there, the most important team is the most important country. Every individual knows that his game and his effort are the most important for any sport and any profession.”

“Because in the end, it’s neither my team nor yours, it’s the national team. I believe that, as I said, there are very honest players in our dressing room who know how hungry they are and whether they can go forward with their contribution,” he added.

Gambhir added to Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli they don’t get special treatment because of their position in the team.

“But yes, regarding my question, my biggest responsibility is that I have to be fair to everyone in the team. Not just one or two individuals. If I am fair to only two or three people and not to others, then I am being unfair to myself.”

However, the Men in Blue lost the 2024-25 BGT series by a margin of 1-3. This was their second straight defeat in the series after going down 0-3 during the home series in New Zealand.