3 major statements made by Gautam Gambhir in press conference ahead of BGT 2024-25 5th Test

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir spoke to the press on the eve of the fifth and final Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 Test. The all-important Test will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground, from Friday, January 3.

The visitors currently trail the five-match series 1-2 and will have to win the last Test to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. A victory in Sydney will also be key to keeping their hope of making it to the final of the ICC World Test Championship final alive.

Gambhir made some startling statements while addressing the media. He spoke about various issues, ranging from Rohit Sharma's place in the playing XI to the rumors of a dressing room rift.

On that note, let's look at three major statements made by Gautam Gambhir in the press conference ahead of the BGT 2024-25 fifth Test.

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#1 Gautam Gambhir on Rohit Sharma's place in the playing XI

Team India skipper Rohit Sharma has been in a poor run of form with the bat in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. After missing the first Test in Perth, he returned to lead the side in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide.

Since then, the right-hander has aggregated only 31 runs in three Tests at an average of 6.20, with the highest score of 10. Rohit's current form has ignited talks about his retirement from Test cricket, with reports suggesting that he might call it quits after the Sydney Test.

Gambhir was asked about Rohit's place in the playing XI on the eve of the Test. The former India opener refused to confirm whether Rohit will lead the team in Sydney.

“We will take a call on the playing XI after looking at the pitch," Gambhir told reporters via News18.

Gambhir was reportedly spotted having a long chat with chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar and vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah today (January 2).

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#2 Gautam Gambhir on dressing room conversations

The Team India head coach also spoke about reports of leaked dressing room conversations following their humiliating 184-run defeat in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. Reports suggested that Gambhir slammed the players for taking responsibility.

However, Gautam Gambhir rebuked all such reports, saying that only 'honest words' were shared in the dressing room.

"Those are reports and not the truth. I don't need to comment on any reports. There were some honest words, that's all I can say," he told reporters.

"Team first. It's a team game and everyone understands this. Everyone knows what they need to do. Debates between a player and a coach should stay between them. Any conversations in the dressing room should stay in the dressing room," Gambhir added.

Gambhir further stated that Indian cricket will be in safe hands only if there are honest people in the dressing room.

"Indian cricket will be in safe hands till honest people stay in the dressing room. The only thing that keeps you in the dressing room is performance," he said.

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#3 Gautam Gambhir on humiliating defeat at the MCG

Gautam Gambhir also spoke about his side's embarrassing defeat in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. He reckons that everyone needs to play the situation, rather than backing their own approach.

"I don’t want to talk about individuals. Everyone needs to do what the team needs them to do. Whether it is about batting out entire sessions or taking on an aggressive approach," Gambhir said.