"Don't want to talk about individuals" - Gautam Gambhir on Team India's disappointing show in BGT 2024-25 4th Test

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir spoke about the side's demoralizing defeat in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne to go behind in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar series 2024-25 against Australia. The Men in Blue, well-placed for a draw, lost their way in an alarming collapse in the final session on Day 5 to lose by 184 runs.

The fallout from the loss has been concerning, to say the least. According to reports, Gambhir was unhappy with the performance and warned the players of strict consequences. Questionable manners of dismissals, coupled with several players being out of form, have landed India in a shaky position ahead of the series finale in Sydney.

Gambhir remarked that the players were aware of the team's demands.

"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 during the pre-match press conference (via RevSportz).

"They all know where they stand. For four and a half days, we weren't bad but one session. Yes, you can say we were behind and results matter. The reality is 2-1. But that is Test cricket. Who knows things could change upside down here," he added (via Sports Express on X).

India need to win the fifth Test in Sydney to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and remain alive in the race for the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

"We've got to fight out to score in the first innings" - Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir

Mediocre first-innings returns were one of the issues plaguing the Indian side ahead of the Border-Gavaskar series 2024-25. The concern has increased after a string of poor scores in Australia.

India were rattled out for below 200 runs in the first innings in Perth and Adelaide. They needed some serious assistance from the lower order to avoid follow-on in the first innings during the third and fourth Tests in Brisbane and Melbourne, respectively.

"We've got to fight out to score in the first innings. We had a decent one in Melbourne. Hopefully, we can take confidence to Sydney," Gambhir added (via Sports Express on X).

The fifth Test between India and Australia is scheduled to begin from January 3 onwards at the Sydney Cricket Ground.