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NEW DELHI: Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir on Sunday lauded skipper Rohit Sharma for prioritising the team’s needs over his personal form during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which India lost 1-3 to Australia.
Gambhir’s remarks followed India’s defeat in the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, which cost them the chance to retain the coveted trophy.
Rohit, who managed just 31 runs in five innings throughout the series, missed the first Test due to the birth of his second child. In the second Test, he batted in the middle order to avoid disrupting the opening partnership of KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal but could only score 3 and 6 in both innings.
His decision to return to the top of the order in the fourth Test, dropping Shubman Gill in the process, backfired as he added just 11 runs in that match.
A prolonged slump in form eventually led to Rohit resting for the final Test.
“To keep the dressing room happy, I have to be honest and fair to everyone. Rohit Sharma showed accountability at the top,” said the head coach.
India have now lost a home series to New Zealand and an away series to Australia.
With Australia securing a six-wicket victory in the fifth Test, India were knocked out of the World Test Championship final. The loss marked the end of a decade-long hold on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for India and highlighted a challenging transitional phase for the team.
Australia won the five-match series 3-1 and booked their place in the World Test Championship final against South Africa, scheduled to take place at Lord’s from June 11 to 15.
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