"Honesty is the most important thing in a transition," Gautam Gambhir opens up on phasing out seniors from test team

Gautam Gambhir addressed the pre-match press conference ahead of the Sydney test.

India head coach Gautam Gambhir attended the pre-match press conference ahead of the Sydney test of the BGT 2024-25. His decision to address the media came after recent reports suggested rifts in the Indian dressing room between the coach and some senior players.

The Indian Cricket Team has been in the spotlight following their loss in the fourth test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 in Melbourne. The defeat has sparked important discussions about the future of some senior players, in particular Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

The defeat at the MCG has put India in a must-win situation for the Sydney test. The Asian giants need to secure a victory in the fifth test to retain the BGT and remain alive in the ICC WTC 2023-25 final race.

Gautam Gambhir opens up on phasing out seniors from test team

Speaking to the media before the Sydney test, Gautam Gambhir admitted that the Indian team is in a transition period and stressed the importance of “honesty” during this phase.

Gambhir said, “See, I will tell you one thing. I think Indian cricket will always be in safe hands till the time honest people are sitting in the dressing room. Honesty is the most important thing for any transition. It’s not about phasing out senior players or getting the youngsters in. Ultimately, the only thing that can keep you in the dressing room is the performance,”

The head coach further stated that ensuring a smooth transition is a shared responsibility. Gambhir highlighted that both the batting and bowling units of the current team are already undergoing significant changes.

He continued, “It’s not the role of only the support staff, but you people as well. It’s about not just criticising them, but trying to hug them out as well. Transition doesn’t happen only for us; it happens for the entire country.”

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