Trophy Slips Away: India’s Struggles in Australia Leave Fans Questioning the Future
Trophy Slips Away: India's Struggles in Australia Leave Fans Questioning the Future.
It was tough to watch India’s stand-in captain leave the dressing room during the team’s final bowling in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Sitting next to regular captain Rohit Sharma, they both looked helpless as Australia crossed the finish line. Bumrah’s expression said it all.
Bumrah, who gave his all in the first four Tests and the first innings at the Sydney Cricket Ground, couldn’t have one final chance against the Australians due to a back spasm. The odds were 50-50, and they increased when he came out to bat, but it wasn’t enough for him to do what he did throughout the series – trouble the batters. He was in his whites, elbows on his knees, leaning forward to watch the last few overs of the Australian run-chase.
Not many were on the board to defend, and it was always going to be difficult to make a contest with just two proper bowlers and three fillers. The four wickets did make it a bit interesting and injected some life into the changing room, but it was short-lived as perennial tormentor Travis Head, along with debutant Beau Webster, overhauled the target in just 27 overs.
The celebrations in the opposite camp began as Bumrah descended the stairs for the customary handshakes. Right behind him was regular captain Rohit, still in his training gear, as the visitors dragged themselves off the field after a long tour Down Under.
A series that started with a high in Perth ended with a lot of disappointment in Sydney. India, under Bumrah, Rohit, and even Virat, had their moments, but it was Australia’s regular capitalisation on crucial junctures that helped them end the decade-long wait for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The five-Test series challenged both sets of players, physically and mentally, and India saw the exit of one of their greatest match winners in R Ashwin. Rohit, too, didn’t feature in the final Test, as questions were continuously raised about the future of ageing superstars in that dressing room, which doesn’t look happy anymore.
And why would it? Coach Gautam Gambhir mentioned a few months ago that a winning dressing room is a happy dressing room, but that hasn’t been the case in the last eight Tests. They’ve won just one match—yes, just one—and were saved by rain in Brisbane. The head coach admitted it’s been tough but praised the entire team for their fight over the last two months.
“Yeah, it’s been tough. Absolutely no doubt about it. It’s been really tough, and obviously these weren’t the results we were expecting in the last eight Test matches, but that is what sport is all about. All I can expect from that dressing room is to keep fighting. All we can do is be honest, keep fighting, and keep doing the right things. What is good for Indian cricket is as simple as it can get, but more importantly, it’s a result-oriented sport, and we all play for results, and it hasn’t gone our way it’s as simple as that,” Gambhir said.
While there are still many questions to be addressed, some crucial ones revolve around the futures of both Rohit and Kohli. Gambhir, for the moment, didn’t have answers and stressed that it also depends on the players themselves.
“I can’t comment on the future of any player; it’s up to them as well. However, I can say that they still possess the hunger and passion, and they are resilient individuals. Hopefully, they can continue to advance Indian cricket. Ultimately, as we all know, whatever plans they make will be in the best interest of Indian cricket,” Gambhir stated.
There’s still some time before India’s next Test match against England in June, but for now, the coach needs to ensure that the dressing room remains a positive environment as they prepare for the challenges ahead.
“Happiness will always remain. The reason is that all we can do is give our best effort, be fully dedicated on the field, not just on that one day but during every practice, every hour, and every play. If we approach our work with honesty and commitment, that should be enough.
I have to be completely honest, fair, and equal to everyone in the team. I know we haven’t achieved the results we wanted, and it is frustrating. I’m not denying that it’s frustrating; it is indeed challenging. However, we will continue to act in the best interest of Indian cricket in the dressing room,” Gambhir explained.
It was disheartening to see the players’ spirits drop in the final moments of the game, and Gambhir has the important task of ensuring the team returns to winning ways and maintains a positive outlook.
