"Intra-Squad Is A Joke": Sunil Gavaskar Rips Into Rohit Sharma-Led Indian Cricket Team

29.12.2023 - 12:54 sports.ndtv.com

Team India's humiliating 3-day loss in the first Test against South Africa sent shockwaves across the cricketing spectrum. Multiple greats of the game and pundits questioned the team's preapredness for the tour, with the legendary Sunil Gavaskar highlighting the absence of practice matches as one of the biggest reasons behind the result embarrasing result.

Gavaskar even called India's intra-squad matches a 'joke' as he lambasted Rohit Sharma and the team management's decision to not play First Class practice matches before the start of the 2-match series. "The reasons are straightforward - you didn't play any matches here.

If you straightaway play Test matches, it doesn't work out. Yes, you sent the India A team. The India A team should actually come before the tour," he said on Star Sports. "You need to play practice matches after coming here.

Intra-squad is a joke because would your fast bowlers bowl extremely fast to your batters, would they bowl bouncers, as they would be scared about injuring their batters," he said.

cricket South Africa Cricket Team India Cricket Team South Africa vs India Rohit Sharma Star Sports Sunil Gavaskar South Africa India

The Indian cricket team has been quite impressive in the ongoing T20I series against Afghanistan and a win in the final game of the three-match series can earn them a unique distinction in the shortest format of the sport. The Rohit Sharma-led side has already won the series with victory in the first two matches and a win in the third T20I match in Bengaluru will result in a historic whitewash. Till now, both India and Pakistan have the joint most whitewash bilateral series in T20I history (8). However, a win in the third T20I on Wednesday will take India's tally to 9 and they will become the first team ever to achieve that feat.

"If You Can't Pick Them...": Sunil Gavaskar Has A New Role For Virat Kohli And Rohit Sharma

A lot of debate took place over Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's possible inclusion in the T20 World Cup 2024 squad but a return to T20I cricket after 14 months in the series against Afghanistan has possibly provided a sneak peek at what the Indian cricket team selectors are planning for the future. Both Rohit and Virat will be making their return to the shortest format of the sport after last playing in November 2022. While questions still remain over their T20 World Cup selection, Sunil Gavaskar backed both of them to make the cut even if they have an ordinary Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 campaign.

"Not The Only Player Who Failed": Sunil Gavaskar's Blunt Take On Shreyas Iyer's Form

India's tour of South Africa left a bitter-sweet taste in the mouths of Indian players. The 1-1 draw was satisfactory but the performance of Indian batters on tricky pitches left a lot to be desired. One batter who particularly underperformed was Shreyas Iyer, scoring just 41 runs in 4 innings at an average of 13.67. However, India legend Sunil Gavaskar doesn't think the selectors will look too much into Iyer's performance as he wasn't the only batter who failed in the 2-match series.

"You Get Slow When...": Sunil Gavaskar's No Nonsense Take On Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma's T20I Future

Former captain Sunil Gavaskar has backed Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to play in the T20 World Cup in June, saying the two senior players are not only the key batters but also terrific fielders in the Indian team. Both Rohit and Kohli have not played a T20I since India's semifinal loss to England at the 2022 T20 World Cup but the duo is keen to return to the shortest format. "What makes me feel good is their fielding. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are still great fielders and will be of great help on the field. In addition to seniority in the dressing room, they will contribute on the field, too," Gavaskar told Star Sports.

Revisiting Viral Moment When Indian Cricket Team Star Complained Of Hole In Newlands Pitch During 2nd Test Against South Africa

The Newlands pitch has been in the headlines ever since the first day of the second Test between India and South Africa saw a whopping 23 wickets fall. As game resumed on the second day, India struck early, with Jasprit Bumrah sending back David Bedingham. However, not longer after the Proteas lost their 4th wicket of the second innings, play came to a brief halt as India pacer Mukesh Kumar complained of a hole in the pitch where his foot was landing while bowling. Though India captain Rohit Sharma downplayed the situation, hammers came out as the ground staff looked to resolve the matter.

"Sorry, You're Not A Batter If...": Sunil Gavaskar's Attack Post India vs South Africa 2nd Test

The India vs South Africa 2nd Test ended inside two days. In all, only five days of cricket action was possible to see in the two-match Test series. While the first Test ended in three days, the second Test's duration was beyond explanation. Thrice the teams were all out in a span of five sessions. While the pitch at the Newlands Stadium is under question, there are those who have raised questions at the batters' technique too.