Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has expressed concern over Virat Kohli's place in the Indian Test squad after the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) defeat in Australia. Sunil Gavaskar has said that Virat Kohli should play in the Ranji Trophy to regain his confidence and secure his place in the Indian Test squad.
Gavaskar's comments came after Kohli's disappointing performance in the final Test in Sydney, where India lost the match by six wickets. The Men in Blue lost the series 1-3 in Australia. This defeat also knocked India out of contention for a place in the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) finals.
We have to look at who will be available for the 2027 final – Sunil Gavaskar
During a chat on Star Sports, Sunil Gavaskar said that Virat Kohli should play a Ranji Trophy match in favorable conditions like Rajkot's flat pitch which would help him regain his confidence. Gavaskar said the players are guaranteed places in the national team despite poor performances.
“100 per cent. Whatever the attack, it might be useless, even if you score runs against him in the Ranji Trophy, your confidence will be high. On January 23, Delhi's match is against Saurashtra in Rajkot. We all know his pitch Rajkot is extremely flat. Go and score there – score a double hundred, you will get confidence,” Gavaskar replied.
“Whether he does that or not remains to be seen. If he refuses to play, it sends a message to everyone that whatever happened is okay because he knows the selection committee won't drop him. No matter how you perform or whatever you do. decide, why do you need the selection committee if no one can let you?” Gavaskar added
Virat Kohli scored only 190 runs in BGT 2024-25 in Australia
The 36-year-old managed 190 runs in nine innings at an average of 23.75 during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, just shy of a century in the opening Test. In the last five years, Virat Kohli has scored only three centuries in the last 39 Tests. His batting average dropped from the mid-50s in 2019 to under 47.
In the post-series press conference, head coach Gautam Gambhir said that players who are not currently playing for India should participate in domestic cricket. India will play a T20I series against England during the upcoming Ranji Trophy. Kohli, retired from T20Is, should be available to play in the Ranji Trophy.
He used to be an automatic selection earlier – Sunil Gavaskar
In the same discussion, Sunil Gavaskar raised questions about Virat Kohli's place as an automatic pick in India's Test side. Gavaskar said the selectors may now have to decide on his inclusion in the next tour of England.
“You will certainly question whether he is an automatic selection now. He was an automatic selection earlier. His performances were so great that he was an automatic selection,” he said.
“Whenever the selectors meet, they pick 10 or 11, and most of the discussion is about number 10 to 14. However, I think after this performance, Ajit Agarkar and his fellow selectors will definitely be discussing whether he he can automatically be included in the squad for the tour of England,” observed Gavaskar.
England will host India for a five-match Test series starting June 20 at Headingley, Leeds. The remaining matches will be played at Edgbaston in Birmingham, Lord's in London, Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester and Kennington Oval in London.
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