January 5, 2025: Sunil Gavaskar’s harsh critique of the Indian batting lineup, particularly Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, after their underwhelming performances in the recent series against New Zealand and Australia, raises critical points about the team’s readiness and mindset heading into the next ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. Gavaskar is urging not only for technical improvements but also for a change in the approach to domestic cricket, specifically the Ranji Trophy, as part of a broader strategy to improve the national team’s Test cricket performance.
Gavaskar’s comments emphasize the recurring technical deficiencies in the Indian batting lineup, which he believes have been evident across multiple series, including the one against New Zealand at home. He pointed out that batsmen, particularly Virat Kohli, have consistently fallen into the same traps. Kohli’s struggles against the outside-off-stump deliveries—exploited by pacer Scott Boland during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT)—highlight a vulnerability that needs addressing. Gavaskar’s criticism of the top-order batters, especially the underperformance of key players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, shows his frustration with their inability to convert starts or counter difficult situations. Kohli, with only one century in the series and an average of 23.75, is far below his usual high standards, while Rohit’s struggles (averaging 6.20) further underline the deeper issue.
Gavaskar’s comments about the ongoing slump of “Ro-Ko” (Rohit and Kohli) are particularly telling. Their performances have been dismal, with Rohit scoring just 164 runs in 8 matches at an average of 10.93, and Kohli managing 382 runs in 10 matches at an average of 22.87. These numbers are well below the expectations for two of India’s most senior and experienced players. The lack of centuries, combined with the inability to score even half-centuries with consistency, paints a concerning picture. Test cricket, Gavaskar stresses, is all about “application and determination”—qualities that, in his view, have been sorely lacking in the Indian batting camp.
Gavaskar is advocating for a stronger commitment to domestic cricket, especially the Ranji Trophy, which he believes is an essential platform for Indian players to hone their skills and maintain match fitness. His challenge to the current players to play in the upcoming round of the Ranji Trophy in January 2025 is a call for greater accountability and responsibility. He also draws attention to the possible need for “tough decisions” if players do not show up for domestic commitments, signaling that a lack of involvement in domestic cricket could result in them being left out of the Test squad.
Gavaskar’s comments are a reminder that the current crop of players, while talented, might not be fully leveraging the opportunities provided by domestic cricket to sharpen their techniques and adapt to different conditions. While the IPL is valuable for short-form cricket, Test cricket demands a different level of application, and players need to refine their techniques in conditions that aren’t always as forgiving as the international stage.
With India’s failure to qualify for the next WTC final, Gavaskar stresses the need for a reset. The next WTC cycle begins in June, and India cannot afford to continue with the same level of complacency or failure in Test cricket. While domestic cricket cannot address all the challenges the Indian team faces, Gavaskar is calling for a more disciplined and focused approach from players who wish to represent India in the longer format.
The pressure is mounting on both players and selectors, as the Indian team will need to regroup and find solutions to improve their technical weaknesses, especially in overseas conditions. India’s failure to secure a spot in the WTC final for a third consecutive time is a critical moment for introspection and change.
Gavaskar’s statements are a clarion call for Indian cricket to focus on building a stronger, more technically sound batting lineup, with players showing more commitment to domestic cricket. The issues with Ro-Ko (Rohit and Kohli), in particular, need to be addressed quickly, as they are senior figures in the team. The technical deficiencies identified by Gavaskar, paired with the growing need for fresh thinking in the leadership, could signal a turning point for India’s Test cricket future. If the players don’t take this message seriously, the upcoming WTC cycle could see India struggling to remain competitive at the highest level.