BCCI to decide Rohit Sharma’s Test fate in next SGM; Gautam Gambhir’s tenure under scrutiny

India’s recent performance in Test cricket has been worrying, with six defeats in their last eight matches. A draw in rain-affected Brisbane and a solitary win in Perth were the only takeaways from an otherwise dismal run for India in the longest format of the game.

The Indian cricket team’s 1-3 defeat came after their whiteout in a three-match Test series at home to New Zealand, marking one of India’s worst spells since 2011 -12, when he lost eight of 11 Tests, four each in England and Australia. , and then VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid made their exits.

BCCI to review Australia tour as India’s Test challenges mount

This time, Ravichandran Ashwin has already retired during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and more exits may follow after the 3-1 Test series loss against Australia. Speculation also surrounds Rohit Sharma’s future in Test cricket. While Rohit dismissed the retirement rumours, his poor form and omission of the Sydney Test suggest otherwise.

Also read: Great blow! Team India fall behind Australia, South Africa in ICC Test rankings after BGT debacle

Well, the upcoming special general meeting of the BCCI, where Devajit Saikia will take over as the new board secretary, will discuss the team’s future, including possible leadership changes, with chief selector Ajit Agarkar and the management of the team Rohit Sharma, Gautam Gambhir and the selectors will soon sit down for a detailed review of the Australia tour.

Meanwhile, a BCCI official confirmed that Rohit Sharma’s future in India’s Test team is hanging by a thread after the crushing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 defeat to Australia. With India’s hopes of reaching the WTC 2025 Final, the pressure is mounting on the skipper and he will be a central figure at the upcoming SGM on Sunday, January 12.

BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar faces tough call for Rohit Sharma’s Test career

The official also revealed that Rohit Sharma will now have to fight to regain his place or be dropped from the Test squad, but noted that all eyes are on chief selector Ajit Agarkar and his committee to make the call

Hindustan Times quoted a BCCI official as saying: “Rohit was waiting to see if India could find an escape route for the WTC final. Now, it really depends on him whether he continues to fight for a place. But the decision lies with Ajit Agarkar and the its selection committee.

The Indian cricket team made many tactical mistakes against Australia, including playing Harshit Rana over Prasidh Krishna and picking two spinners on a pace-friendly Sydney pitch instead of adding extra pace to the Test end For these calls, Rohit Sharma and the team management are under heavy scrutiny.

Also Read: Rohit Sharma’s Big Role In Jasprit Bumrah’s Back Injury At SCG Exposed

BCCI official reveals Gautam Gambhir’s position under scanner

Even before the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, some Indian selectors had allegedly claimed that they had “no role” to play in choosing the pitches used for the New Zealand Test series. This brought Gautam Gambhir’s role as India’s head coach under scrutiny, as several of his white-ball strategies have struggled to translate into Test success.

Also, India’s journey under the leadership of Gautam Gambhir started with an ODI series loss in Sri Lanka, which added to the pressure. The upcoming ODI series at home against England, followed by the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in February-March, will be crucial for Gambhir’s tenure.

A board official also pointed out that India’s struggles started long before the tour of Australia. The decision to prepare spin-friendly fields at home, only to not do so, was the first setback to affect their chances of reaching the WTC final.

The board official said, “It’s not just the tour of Australia. The decision to go for the rank changes at home and not do it afterwards was the first blow that pushed India back in the race to the WTC final.