Big revealtions done by Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar in the Press Conference

India head coach Gautam Gambhir and selection committee chief Ajit Agarkar jointly addressed the press conference in Mumbai ahead of the team’s departure to Sri Lanka for the 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is. Both of them shared their views on some of the most discussed topics in Indian cricket, including the non-selection of Hardik Pandya as T20I skipper, and the selection of Suryakumar Yadav who was appointed as the captain. They also discussed about why Ravindra Jadeja is excluded from the ODI series and many more things.

JADEJA NOT DROPPED!

Earlier there were reports that Ravindra Jadeja had been dropped from the squad but from today’s press conference we got to know that he’s not dropped from the squad but rather rested, Chief selector Ajit Agarkar confirmed that the spin-bowling all-rounder wasn’t dropped from the team.

Agarkar said,

“I think we should have clarified this when we announced the squad. He hasn’t been dropped (but rested). There are a lot of Test series coming up, and he will be playing a lot of those.”

VIRAT KOHLI AND GAUTAM GAMBHIR RELATIONSHIP                

When a reporter asked about their relationship with Kohli, Gambhir said that his relationship with him was not private. It’s something between two mature individuals. On the field everyone has the right to fight for their own jersey and comeback to a winning dressing room. But when they are representing India, they have to be on the same page and make the country proud.  

Gautam Gambhir said,

"Good for the TRP, but my relationship is not public. What kind of a relationship do I share with Virat Kohli... I think it's between two mature individuals. On the field, everyone has the right to fight for their own jersey and come back to a winning dressing room. But at the moment, we're representing India, representing 140 crore Indians and I'm sure we're going to be on the same page and try and make India proud. I share a very good relationship off the field and will continue to do that. But yes, to make it more public what kind of a relationship... I think it's between two individuals."

He further said that he chats a lot with Kohli and shares messages. It’s not important what they discussed or they discussed something after or before his announcement of becoming the head coach. Right now, the most important thing is that they will work hard today and make the country proud.

Gambhir said,

"I've had a lot of chats with him... we've shared messages. It's not important what we discussed, how many chats have I had with him, after my announcement or before my announcement or during the game, after the games. Sometimes, just because we want headlines, it's not important. Right now, the most important thing is we both are going to be working extremely hard to make India proud. And that's our job." 

 

ROHIT SHARMA AND VIRAT KOHLI’S FUTURE

Gautam Gambhir does not rule out the possibility of choosing the two-time world champions for the 2027 ODI World Cup. However, Gambhir made it clear that their selection would depend on both players maintaining their level of fitness.

Gambhir said,

“I think they’ve shown what they can deliver on the big stage whether it was the T20 World Cup and in the 50 over World Cup as well. I think both those guys have got a lot of crickets left in them and more importantly with the Champions Trophy and a big tour of Australia, obviously they would be motivated enough, and then hopefully they can keep their fitness till the 2027 World Cup as well. This is a very personal decision. I can’t say how much cricket is left in them.”

“Ultimately, it’s up to them as well. It’s up to the players how much can they contribute to the team’s success because ultimately, it’s the team that is important. But looking at what Virat and Rohit can deliver, I think they still have a lot of crickets and they’re still world-class players and obviously any team would want to have both of them for as long as possible.”

MOHAMMED SHAMI’S RETURN

The star Indian pacer Mohammed Shami has returned to bowling in the nets for the first time since the ODI World Cup 2023 final against Australia. He had been sidelined due to a right heel injury that required surgery.

Even in today’s meeting Agarkar also revealed that Shami has resumed bowling in the nets and could be available for the Bangladesh Test Series.

Agarkar said,

“He has started to bowl. The first Test is on 19^th September. That was always the goal. Whether he can make it back to the squad by that (Bangladesh series) time, I’ll have to speak with the guys at the NCA.”

HARDIK PANDYA INJURY AND FITNESS

Hardik made a strong comeback after the IPL 2024 in the T20 World Cup. Agarkar said that Pandya is an extremely valuable player for the team and even admitted that the all-rounder’s fitness is the biggest concern for the selectors. Hardik has not been appointed as the captain for both the formats and this is one of the reasons for him not becoming the captain.

Agarkar said,

“Fitness has been something that he’s struggled with. As selectors, it becomes difficult then. The thought behind it was that we want someone (as captain) who is likely to be available more. We also feel we can manage Hardik better; we’ve seen what he can do with the bat and ball in the World Cup. We speak to every player, about whether their role has changed. And yeah, we’ve spoken to him.”

SURYKUMAR YADAV AS THE SKIPPER

Ajit Agarkar confirmed that due to Hardik Pandya's fitness issue, Suryakumar Yadav got a chance to get the T20I captaincy. But he didn’t got any place in India’s ODI squad. The return of Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Shreya Iyer has increased SKY’s competition.