Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir emphasized that the interest of the team comes first.© AFP
India head coach Gautam Gambhir addressed a press conference on the eve of the series-deciding fifth and final Test in Sydney. India trailed 1-2 in the series after their 184-run loss to Australia in the Boxing Day Test last week. While he declined to analyze individuals when asked about the questionable shot selection of players like Rishabh Pant in crunch situations, Gambhir emphasized that the interest of the team comes first. For the unversed, Pant has come under the scanner for getting out while trying to hit rash shots in both innings of the MCG Test.
“I don't want to talk about individuals. The ideology of the team is important. People can of course play games, but in team sports individuals only contribute,” he said.
“There is only one tendency and there is only one discussion: the ideology of the team comes first. You have to play what the team needs. You can still play your natural game in a team sport, but if the team needs you, then you should do that.” have to play a certain way,” said the head coach.
There will be at least one change from the side that lost the fourth Test in Melbourne this week by 184 runs after pace bowler Akash Deep was ruled out with a back problem.
Harshit Rana or Prasidh Krishna could play instead in the match that starts in Sydney on Friday.
Opening batsman Rohit has failed to get past the 10-run mark in any of his five innings in Australia as speculation mounts that the veteran could be dropped.
The captain was not present at the press conference on the eve of the India match at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Rohit missed the first Test in Perth due to the birth of his second child, with Jasprit Bumrah taking over as captain and leading India to their only win in the five-match series so far.
Gambhir, however, remained tight-lipped about India's possible 11th role in Sydney.
(With AFP inputs)
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