Sunil Gavaskar’s comments ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 have sparked significant debate. He suggested that if Rohit Sharma cannot lead the Indian team in the first Test against Australia due to personal reasons, then the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) should appoint a new captain for the entire series. Reports indicate that Rohit may miss one of the first two Tests, and he himself hinted at potential unavailability for the Perth Test.
In Rohit’s absence, vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah is likely to lead the team. Gavaskar argued that if the captain cannot play the first match, it disrupts the rhythm and adds undue pressure on the stand-in captain. He emphasized that a series captain needs to be consistent from the beginning to establish team unity and rhythm, especially following India’s recent 0-3 home whitewash against New Zealand.
Gavaskar asserted that a clear decision from the selection committee is essential. He suggested that if Rohit is to miss several matches, he should consider joining the team solely as a player and allow the vice-captain to take on the captaincy full-time for this series. According to Gavaskar, clarity in leadership is crucial, especially as India seeks to bounce back after the New Zealand series defeat.
