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India coach Gambhir backs Rohit, Kohli to regain form in Australia

Skipper Rohit and superstar batsman Kohli came under fire after India crashed to a humiliating 3-0 Test series home defeat to New Zealand

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India's head coach Gautam Gambhir during a press conference in Mumbai ahead of the team's departure to Australia. — AFP

By AFP

Published: Mon 11 Nov 2024, 12:49 PM

Last updated: Mon 11 Nov 2024, 1:02 PM

India coach Gautam Gambhir on Monday backed "incredibly tough men" Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to prove their critics wrong and find form in Australia.

Skipper Rohit and superstar batsman Kohli came under fire after India crashed to a humiliating 3-0 Test series home defeat to New Zealand.

Rohit scored 91 runs in three matches. Kohli made just 93.

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Speaking just before India flew off to Australia for a blockbuster five-match Test series, Gambhir said he had "no concerns for Virat and Rohit".

"They are incredibly tough men," he said.

"They've achieved a lot for Indian cricket and they will continue to achieve a lot in the future as well."

Gambhir hit out at Ricky Ponting after the former Australia captain questioned the longer-term form of the two senior batsmen.

"What does Ponting have to do with Indian cricket?" Gambhir said.

Gambhir said the Indian team as a whole were eager to prove themselves after the New Zealand defeat, only their second Test series whitewash at home.

"I feel there is a lot of hunger, especially after what has happened in the last series," he said.

Gambhir believes the biggest challenge in Australia will be the quicker pitches compared to India, where conditions are traditionally spin-friendly.

But Gambhir said his under-the-cosh side were ready to "fire from ball one" in a series that starts in Perth on November 22.

"We've been to Australia many times, so that experience will be crucial," said the coach, who has also faced some flak.

"If we play to our potential, we play our best cricket, we can beat anyone on any wicket."

Meanwhile, Gambhir confirmed that pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah will lead the team if regular skipper Rohit is unavailable for the first Test against Australia.

The opening match is scheduled to begin on November 22 in Perth.

"Bumrah is vice-captain; if Rohit is not available, he is going to lead in Perth," Gambhir said.

The skipper is likely to miss the opening Test in Perth beginning on Nov. 22 to attend the birth of his second child.

The absence of the injured Mohammed Shami will also increase the workload on pace spearhead Bumrah.

Rohit's absence would also mean Yashasvi Jaiswal would need a new opening partner and Gambhir was happy with his back-up options even though both Abhimanyu Easwaran and KL Rahul struggled in two unofficial tests against Australia A.

Former India opener Gambhir hinted that Rahul's 53-Test experience and his ability to bat practically anywhere in the order could tilt the decision in his favour ahead of the uncapped Easwaran.

"There are times when you go with the experienced players," Gambhir said of Rahul.

"That is the quality of the man, that he can bat at the top of the order, he can bat at number three and he can actually bat at number six as well," he added.

Following India's shambolic fall against New Zealand on home turf, the road to the WTC final has become a tricky affair.

With a 3-0 series whitewash, India need to win the Australia series 4-0 to qualify for the World Test Championship final for the third successive time.

India prevailed in their last two Australia tours but their batting looks less than formidable this time as they look to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

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AFP

Published: Mon 11 Nov 2024, 12:49 PM

Last updated: Mon 11 Nov 2024, 1:02 PM

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