The potential inclusion of veteran cricketers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in India`s 2027 World Cup plans remains a topic of discussion. With Rohit having transitioned the ODI captaincy to Shubman Gill, and both players now in their mid-30s and retired from Tests and T20Is, their recent selection for the upcoming ODI series against Australia sparks questions about their long-term future.
India`s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, however, emphasized a focus on the present moment.
“The 50-over World Cup is still two and a half years away, and it`s crucial to stay in the present,” Gambhir stated during a press conference following India`s 2-0 Test series victory over West Indies. “That is very important. Obviously, they are quality players, they are coming back, their experience is going to be a handful in Australia as well. Hopefully, those two guys will have a successful tour, and more importantly, as a team, we will have a successful series.”
Gambhir Addresses Shubman Gill`s Captaincy and Mental Well-being
Shubman Gill, now serving as Test and ODI captain and T20I vice-captain, faces a demanding schedule with minimal opportunities for breaks. Gambhir believes Gill is well-prepared for this challenge.
When questioned if Gill might benefit from a mental-conditioning coach, Gambhir light-heartedly replied:
“First and foremost, I need one! I think he is scoring runs, so he does not need any bit of it. So probably I think he is in a good space. I think all of us are in a good space. I think when you get the results, you are always in a good space. But if you don`t get the results, I think it is my responsibility to keep him and the entire group in a good space. That is my job. Sometimes it is not only about skills, but it is also about the mental aspect of the game as well. Especially guys who are playing all the three formats. It is not only about Shubman, it is about everyone in that dressing room. I have equal responsibility towards everyone.”
Gambhir Condemns `Shameful` Criticism of Harshit Rana
The selection of fast bowler Harshit Rana for both the ODI and T20I squads for the Australia tour has drawn media attention and comments from former players. Notably, ex-India captain and chief selector Kris Srikkanth alleged on his YouTube channel that Rana`s inclusion was solely due to his close association with Gambhir.
Gambhir vehemently dismissed these claims, calling them “shameful.” He stated:
“Look, it`s a bit shameful. And I will be very honest with you. If you do not spare even a 23-year-old boy to run your YouTube channel, it`s unfair. Because ultimately [Rana`s] father is not an ex-chairman [of selectors] or an ex-cricketer or an NRI. He plays cricket on his own merit. And he will continue to play on his own merit. Targeting someone individually is not fair. You can target people`s performance. And there are coaches and selectors who target people`s performance. But if you say such things to a 23-year-old kid, then social media amplifies it more, and in social media, you are told things in such a way, imagine [what it does to] the mindset [of the player]. In the future, your child can also play cricket, anyone`s child can play cricket. At least you can realise that he is a 23-year-old kid. He is not 33. Criticise me, I can still handle it. But a 23-year-old boy is a 23-year-old boy. I think that is why we need to be careful. What you say is only to run your YouTube channel. Every one of us has moral responsibility towards Indian cricket. Indian cricket doesn`t belong to me, it doesn`t belong to people sitting in the dressing room, it belongs to all of you as well. It belongs to every Indian who genuinely wants Indian cricket to do well. Criticise, but do it on performance. Don`t do it because you want to target an individual.”
