‘‘Whatever they plan, they will plan for the best’’ - Gautam Gambhir on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's future

India head coach Gautam Gambhir gave his take on the retirement questions being raised around India's senior pros Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. His remarks came after India’s six-wicket loss in the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Sydney as they lost the series by a 3-1 margin. It is worth noting that despite a win in Perth in the first Test of the series, the Indian team could not capitalise, and lost in Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney.

There has been plenty of speculation over the future of veterans Rohit and Kohli in the longest format of the game as they have struggled to find form. Asked to comment on what lies ahead for them, Gambhir said that the duo still has hunger to succeed and the whatever decision they take will be in the "best interest" of the team.

“I can’t talk about the future of any player. It’s up to them as well. What I can say is that they still have the hunger, they still have the passion, they are tough people. And hopefully they can continue to take it and bring it forward. But ultimately, as we all know, whatever they plan, they will plan for the best,” Gambhir said after the game.

The most important thing is the country: Gambhir

It is worth noting that India skipper Rohit Sharma missed the first Test of the series due to the birth of his second child, and then stood down as a captain for the fifth one amid his poor form as both batter and captain. Talking about the same, Gambhir praised Rohit for stepping aside for the final Test of the series. 

“I would like to say that so many reports have been written and so many things have been said. At least, we can be a little more sensible in that regard. If a captain, not even a captain, if a leader has taken this decision ahead of his team, then I don’t think there is anything wrong with that. So, a lot of things have been said and a lot of things have been said,” Gambhir said.

“Ultimately, the international team is not sitting there, the most important thing is the team and the most important thing is the country,” he added.