New Delhi: Their performance in the five-match Test series in Australia could decide that fate of India’s star quartet of skipper Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, who are in the last leg of their international careers.
The four star performers have exhibited underwhelming form in India’s 0-3 home defeat to New Zealand. It was India’s maiden whitewash on home soil in a series with at least three Tests.
It has led to question marks over their requirement in the team, particularly with an eye on the next WTC cycle that begins in mid 2025.
With age no on their side apart form dipping form, the four veterans would need to justify their place in the Test team before the BCCI things of beginning a phaseout policy.
Though the BCCI is yet to spell out the plans, an informal chat could happen between top BCCI officials, head coach Gautam Gambhir and skipper Rohit.
“Stocks will be taken certainly and it could be of informal nature since the team leaves for Australia on November 10. But this has been a huge debacle but, with Australia series round the corner and the squad already announced, there won’t be any tinkering,” a senior BCCI source told PTI.
“But if India doesn’t qualify for WTC final in England, one can be rest assured that all four super seniors won’t be on that flight to UK for the ensuing five-Test series. In any case, all four have likely played their final Test at home together,” the source added.
India need to win by a 4-0 margin in Australia to qualify for the World Test Championship final, irrespective of other results, which remains the primary target of the team apart from retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
When asked about his future in the Test team, Rohit said his focus is only on the Australia tour after which he will take a call.
“Look, I don’t think we can look that far ahead. It’s important to focus on the next series, which is Australia,” Rohit said after India’s loss on Sunday.
“I’m not going to look beyond Australia series. Australia series, for us is now very, very important. We will try and focus on that rather than thinking what happens after.”
