'I would always like everyone to play domestic cricket' - Gautam Gambhir after India's defeat in BGT 2024-25

India head coach Gautam Gambhir has opened up on the importance of domestic cricket and why he wants all the Indian players to take part in it whenever possible. Gambhir’s comments came after the Indian team lost the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 at the Sydney Cricket Ground by six wickets to concede the title for the first time in a decade.

India aid a solid foundation in the series with a 295-run win in Perth, however, wins in Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney meant that Australia clinched the series 3-1 to reclaim the trophy. Speaking after the series loss, Gambhir highlighted how participating in domestic cricket could help not just the junior players but also the seniors. 

“I would always like everyone to play domestic cricket. That’s how much importance domestic cricket needs to be given. Not only one game; if they are available and they have the commitment to play red-ball cricket, everyone should play domestic cricket as simply as it can get. If you don’t give importance to domestic cricket, you will never get the players you want in Test cricket,” Gambhir said.

'They are tough people with hunger' - Gambhir on Rohit, Kohli

The former India opener, who succeeded Rahul Dravid in the role as the head coach, also talked about how players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who are in the twilight of their career,s still have the hunger in them. 

Notably, Rohit stood down as India's captain and did not play in the final Test of the series after struggling to find his form. Furthermore, after a second-innings century in Perth, Kohli struggled to perform as well, falling in familiar fashion eight times out of nine as he nicked deliveries to wicketkeepers or slips.

“They are tough people with hunger; they’ll decide what is best for Indian cricket. To keep the dressing room happy, I have to be honest and fair to everyone,” Gambhir said.