Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar slammed the experienced players of Team India after their defeat in the ICC World Test Championship Final against Australia. India suffered a 209-run defeat to the Aussies in the summit clash at The Oval. Notably, they lost to New Zealand in the inaugural edition of the WTC as well. However, in a chat with Sports Today, Sunil Gavaskar said that experienced players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Ajinkya Rahane should not give any excuses for their dismissals and the defeat.
“You have to be brutally honest and say from the beginning what was your approach. Was your approach in tune with what is expected for a World Test Championship Final? Was your approach a little too conservative in terms of team selection, in terms of deciding whether to bat or bowl or whatever it is?” asked Gavaskar.
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He continued: “All those questions have to be asked. Look, we are never going to win titles apart from Asia Cup maybe, but the world titles, if we are going to be sweeping things under the carpet. If tough calls have to be made, you make the tough calls and then let maybe if a failure has to be there, then let it be done by somebody who is new to the job.”
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“With all the experience that you have got, you cannot make the excuse. Shubman Gill was in great form. He is the only guy who got out not playing a shot. So you’ll say, ‘Oh, he should’ve played shots’. I mean he was trying to play Test match cricket. He tried to leave the ball, got bowled. In the second innings, he got a ball which bounced a little bit, that’s why. So look, don’t make excuses. Just be brutally honest, brutally frank. Look at the fact that you guys made mistakes, accept them. If you want to punish them for those mistakes, do that,” Sunil Gavaskar concluded.
However, Team India have a 30-day break from action now. They will return to the field next month for an away series against West Indies as well.
