The past few months have been challenging for Indian cricket. After a 3-0 series whitewash at home against New Zealand, India also lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia for the first time in over a decade. These setbacks not only cost them two key series but also denied them a chance to reach their third consecutive World Test Championship Final. Following back-to-back series defeats, it was clear that the BCCI needed to assess the team’s recent underwhelming performances.
On Saturday, January 11, a review meeting was held to discuss the 1-3 series loss. Present at the meeting were captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Gautam Gambhir, chairman of the senior selection committee Ajit Agarkar, and other top BCCI officials. The committee decided against any knee-jerk reactions, attributing much of the debacle to the poor form of key players- Rohit and Virat Kohli.
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At 37, Rohit is not getting any younger, and his struggles with the bat in red-ball cricket have put his position as captain and player under scrutiny. Despite this, Rohit has vowed to continue but has also asked the selectors to identify his successor. In contrast, Virat Kohli's future wasn’t a significant point of discussion.
With the Champions Trophy fast approaching, the BCCI has opted for a measured approach, prioritizing the players’ mental well-being and avoiding any drastic decisions for now.
Although the support staff members are under review, the head coach's position remains secure for now.
However, the review meeting left some issues unaddressed, including the lack of coordination between the selection committee and team management. This disconnect was particularly evident during the Australian tour, where players like Sarfaraz Khan and Abhimanyu Easwaran were overlooked despite being part of the squad.
Another key update from the review meeting pertains to a new policy on family travel during tours. It has reportedly been decided that family members will not be allowed to accompany Indian players on any tour. Board officials believe that having families present, particularly during overseas assignments, could impact the players’ focus and performance.
Under the revised guidelines, for tournaments or series lasting over 45 days, players’ families can stay for up to 14 days. For shorter tours, this limit will be reduced to seven days.
WATCH - Out of form Rohit Sharma shows up at Mumbai Ranji Trophy team practice
In a notable development, Rohit was seen training in whites with the Mumbai Ranji squad just days after the review meeting. The final two rounds of the Ranji Trophy are set to begin on January 23, and Rohit’s presence has sparked speculation about him featuring in the game against Jammu & Kashmir. However, this appears unlikely as India is scheduled to play a three-match ODI series against England starting February 6. Meanwhile, Kohli and Rishabh Pant have been named in Delhi’s squad for the final rounds of the Ranji Trophy, though their participation remains subject to availability.
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