"Why do you need the selection committee if no one can drop you?" - Sunil Gavaskar's stunning statement on Virat Kohli's future after BGT 2024-25

Sunil Gavaskar wants Virat Kohli to play in the Ranji Trophy to regain his confidence and retain his place in the Indian Test squad. He questioned the need for a selection committee if players are guaranteed a place even if they don't play domestic cricket despite underwhelming performances at the international level.

India suffered a six-wicket defeat against Australia in the fifth Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 Test in Sydney on Sunday, January 5. The result meant the visitors lost the series 1-3 and were knocked out of the race for a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

During a discussion on Star Sports, Gavaskar was asked whether Kohli should play in the Ranji Trophy to regain his form.

"100 percent. Whatever might be the attack, it might be useless, even if you score runs against that in the Ranji Trophy, your confidence will be high. On January 23, Delhi's match is against Saurashtra in Rajkot. We all know Rajkot's pitch is extremely flat. Go and score runs there - score a double hundred, you will get the confidence," he responded.

"It remains to be seen whether he does that or not. If he refuses to play, it gives a message to everyone that whatever happened is fine as he knows the selection committee won't drop him. No matter how you perform or whatever you decide, why do you need the selection committee if no one can drop you?" Gavaskar added.

In the post-series press conference, India's head coach Gautam Gambhir claimed that everyone should play domestic cricket if they are not representing the country at that time.

Although India will be playing a T20I series against England during the next round of the Ranji Trophy, Virat Kohli should be available as he has retired from the shortest format internationally.

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"You will definitely ask the question whether he is an automatic selection now" - Sunil Gavaskar on Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli was repeatedly dismissed in similar fashions in BGT 2024-25. [P/C: Getty]

In the same discussion, Sunil Gavaskar questioned whether Virat Kohli should be an automatic pick in India's Test side.

"You will definitely ask the question whether he is an automatic selection now. He used to be an automatic selection earlier. His performances used to be so terrific that he used to be selected automatically," he said.

The former India opener opined that the selectors will likely debate whether Kohli should be a certainty for the tour of England later this year.

"Whenever the selection committee sits, they pick 10 or 11, and the most discussion happens for Nos. 10 to 14. However, I feel after this performance, Ajit Agarkar and his fellow selectors will definitely discuss whether he can automatically be included in the team for the England tour," Gavaskar observed.

Virat Kohli aggregated 190 runs at an average of 23.75 in nine innings in BGT 2024-25. Barring an unbeaten 100 in India's second innings of the first Test in Perth, he crossed 20 only once and was dismissed for single digits five times.