January 1, 2025: Ahead of the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan weighed in on the media reports surrounding Gautam Gambhir’s alleged dressing room furore after India’s defeat in the Melbourne Test. According to reports, Gambhir, India’s head coach, was visibly unhappy with the team’s performance and reportedly voiced his displeasure in the dressing room after the 184-run loss to Australia at the MCG.
However, Pathan, who has played for India for many years, expressed that internal team discussions should remain confidential. Writing on X (formerly Twitter), Pathan firmly stated, “What happens in the dressing room, should stay in the dressing room!” His comment echoed the sentiment that such matters should be kept private, emphasizing the importance of maintaining team confidentiality and unity.
The loss in Melbourne put India in a precarious situation, with Australia now leading the series 2-1 and India’s hopes of qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final at Lord’s next year dashed. The defeat also highlighted the ongoing struggles within the Indian team, particularly in the batting department. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, two of India’s marquee players, have failed to deliver consistently, and this has led to increasing pressure on both players.
Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar also weighed in on the performance of Rohit Sharma, suggesting that the Indian captain faces a “last chance” to prove himself in the final Test of the series. In a video posted on ESPNcricinfo, Manjrekar was candid in his assessment, saying, “Rohit’s problems are there for everyone to see. One has to just imagine whether there is any hope at all and if we can expect a final flourish in the last Test (SCG).” He further stated that it should not be left to the individual, adding, “I really think that job is a selector’s job… whether there is any sense in having Rohit Sharma for the next Test match.”
While Manjrekar was critical of Rohit’s recent form, he defended Virat Kohli, pointing out that Kohli’s overall contribution to Indian Test cricket, despite his recent struggles, still warrants continued support. He emphasized that Kohli’s impact in Test cricket is undeniable and that there is enough evidence to back him despite the occasional poor run of form. “There’s enough evidence for Kohli that you want to keep supporting him,” Manjrekar said, acknowledging Kohli’s ability to get runs and his influence in the middle, even if he has been dismissed in unusual ways during this series.
Rohit Sharma’s struggles were particularly visible in the Melbourne Test. After surviving some tough spells, he adopted a defensive stance but was eventually dismissed after facing 40 deliveries, scoring only 9 runs. His attempt to counterattack against Pat Cummins ended in a thick outside edge that went to Mitchell Marsh at gully. KL Rahul followed soon after, dismissed for a duck, and India’s batting collapse deepened. Virat Kohli also fell to Mitchell Starc before lunch, contributing to India’s downfall. However, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant tried to stabilize the innings with a fighting partnership, but it wasn’t enough to prevent a 155 all-out result.
With Australia now leading the series and having already ended India’s chances of reaching the WTC Final, the focus will shift to the final Test at Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3, 2025. India will be aiming to salvage some pride and level the series, while Australia will look to seal a dominant win to end the series on a high.
As the final Test approaches, the pressure will be on key players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who will need to deliver strong performances if India is to have any chance of challenging Australia in Sydney. Additionally, Gambhir’s leadership will be closely scrutinized, especially after the reported dressing room exchanges, as the Indian team prepares to bounce back from a difficult position.
