Following India’s disappointing 184-run defeat to Australia in the Boxing Day Test, legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar did not hold back in his criticism of senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The Indian team, set a challenging target of 340 runs on the final day, once again faltered in their chase, losing by a significant margin. With this result, India now trails 1-2 in the five-match series.
Top-Order Failures
In a frank assessment, Gavaskar pointed to the failure of India’s top-order as the primary reason behind the loss. With the exception of young Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored a resilient 84 runs, the senior batsmen struggled to make an impact. India’s batting collapse began early, with the team at a precarious 33 for 3. This early failure meant that the lower-order was left with an impossible task, as they were unable to build on the foundation needed for a successful chase.
Gavaskar’s frustration with the senior players was clear. Speaking to India Today, he remarked, “It is the top-order which has to contribute, if the top-order is not contributing, why blame the lower-order?” He emphasized that the senior batsmen, including Kohli and Sharma, were expected to anchor the innings, especially in such a high-pressure situation. Unfortunately, they did not rise to the occasion, leaving India struggling in the run chase.
He added, “The seniors have not really made the contribution that they should have… all that they had to do was bat out today and live to fight another day in Sydney.” His words highlighted the expectation that experienced players should provide stability during crucial moments, but in this instance, they failed to do so.
Praise for Jaiswal, Criticism for Pant
While Gavaskar was critical of the senior batsmen, he reserved praise for Yashasvi Jaiswal. The young opener showed tremendous composure in difficult conditions, scoring 84 runs and looking the most assured of the Indian batsmen. His partnership with Rishabh Pant, which seemed to steady the innings post-lunch, gave India hope. However, Pant’s reckless shot selection once again became a turning point in the match.
After a solid partnership, Pant’s rash dismissal allowed Australia to take control. Gavaskar was visibly disappointed with Pant’s shot, stating, “Yes, absolutely around tea time when Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal had batted through the post-lunch session, it certainly looked India could achieve a draw.” Pant’s departure set off a collapse, which sealed India’s fate.
Future of Kohli and Sharma
In discussing the future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in 2025, Gavaskar suggested that the selectors would have to make a decision based on the performances in upcoming series. “It all depends on the selectors. The contributions that were expected have not come,” Gavaskar noted. The Indian selectors will need to evaluate whether the experience of these players is still a valuable asset to the team or whether it’s time to consider fresh options.
Conclusion
India’s defeat in the Boxing Day Test highlighted the ongoing issues with the top-order, where the senior players have been underperforming. While Jaiswal showed promise, the failure of established stars like Kohli and Sharma has left India with much to reflect on ahead of the next Tests. Sunil Gavaskar’s blunt assessment serves as a crucial reminder for the team to find solutions to these batting woes before the series reaches its climax.
