Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has raised concerns about a potential rift between India’s captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir, amidst India’s struggles in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Ali’s comments come after India suffered a 10-wicket loss in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide and continued to falter in the third Test in Brisbane, where the team’s poor form and captaincy decisions have come under the microscope.
India’s Struggles in Brisbane
India’s woes in the third Test in Brisbane have continued, with the top-order failing once again. After a rain-affected Day 3, India was left in a precarious position at 51/4, trailing by a massive margin of 394 runs. It appears that the hosts, Australia, are firmly in control and look set to take a dominant lead in the match.
This situation has added to the growing scrutiny over Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, which had already come under fire after India’s crushing defeat in Adelaide. Ali, who has been critical of the Indian team’s performance, believes that the issue may lie beyond just the players on the field.
Basit Ali’s Critique of Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir
In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Basit Ali suggested that there seems to be a disconnect between Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir, claiming that the two key figures in the Indian team are “not on the same page.” Ali pointed out that this lack of harmony could be affecting the team’s decision-making and overall performance.
“Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir are not on the same page, be it the one-day tournament in Sri Lanka; Bangladesh, which was a weak series; or the New Zealand series after that,” Basit said, referring to the struggles India has had in various series leading up to the current Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Ali’s comments suggest that the disconnect between the captain and coach could be creating confusion within the team, particularly when it comes to tactical decisions. He argued that this discord may be influencing key areas like team selection and on-field strategy, leading to India’s underwhelming performances.
Questionable Decisions on the Field
Basit Ali also pointed out questionable decisions made by India during the ongoing series, specifically the frequent changes in the playing XI. Ali highlighted how the Indian team had been rotating spinners throughout the series, with different spinners being chosen for each Test match. This, he believed, was a sign of inconsistency and uncertainty in the team’s strategy.
“I can explain it very easily. In all three Test matches, a different spinner played. In two Test matches, they batted after winning the toss, but here they chose to bowl. There are three left-handers in the Australian batting….So why not (Washington) Sundar and why not (Ravichandran) Ashwin? Anybody who understands cricket will definitely talk about it,” Basit said, referring to India’s puzzling tactics in the ongoing series.
Basit’s frustration is clear as he points to the failure to utilize key players like Ravichandran Ashwin and Washington Sundar, especially when India could have exploited Australia’s left-hand heavy batting lineup. His comments underscore the growing concern about the lack of a settled strategy for the Indian team, something that could be attributed to the differences between the captain and coach.
A Deteriorating Situation
India’s last tour of Australia was one of the most iconic moments in Indian cricket history, with a 2-1 victory that saw them breach Australia’s fortress at The Gabba in Brisbane. However, the current situation is far from ideal, and the Indian team will need to regroup quickly if they hope to replicate that success.
Despite the turmoil and criticism, Rohit Sharma and his team will be hoping to turn things around in the remainder of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. However, the ongoing struggles on and off the field suggest that it may not be an easy task.
Conclusion
As the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 continues, Basit Ali’s comments reflect the growing tension within the Indian camp, particularly between Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir. The inconsistency in team selections and tactical decisions has raised doubts over the team’s ability to mount a serious challenge against Australia. With the series slipping away, India will need to resolve these internal issues quickly and find a way to bounce back before it’s too late.
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