Sunil Gavaskar Questions BCCI and Selectors Over Kohli and Rohit Centuries
India Dominates West Indies in Test Series
The recently concluded two-Test series between India and West Indies has lived up to everyone’s expectations. India’s dominance was evident as they secured a comprehensive victory in the first Test, winning by an innings and 141 runs. Although the second Test ended in a draw due to rain, India maintained a firm grip on the series, displaying solid performance throughout. The Indian batters, including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, showcased their prowess by scoring centuries, while Ravichandran Ashwin continued to strengthen his legacy with yet another match-winning five-wicket-haul in Dominica. With this impressive start, India confidently embarked on the new World Test Championship cycle without facing any significant challenges.
Gavaskar’s Concerns: Preference for Established Names Over Young Talent
Despite India’s commendable performance, Sunil Gavaskar has raised questions about the purpose behind the centuries scored by Kohli and Rohit. The former India captain expressed disappointment in seeing the selectors prioritizing established players over promising youngsters like Sarfaraz Khan. He emphasized this concern and expressed skepticism about the selectors’ decisions, especially now that Ajit Agarkar has been appointed as the new BCCI chairman of selectors. Gavaskar hopes for a shift in approach and more opportunities for young talents to prove themselves on the international stage.
Learning from Kohli’s Patience and Adaptability
Notwithstanding his reservations about selection choices, Gavaskar did acknowledge the brilliance of Virat Kohli’s batting efforts. In the first Test, Kohli missed out on a big score, getting dismissed for 76, while Rohit registered his second overseas century, and Jaiswal notched his maiden hundred on debut. However, Kohli made an impressive comeback, displaying his 29th century in his 500th Test.
Gavaskar lauded Kohli’s ability to understand the opposition, pitch, and playing conditions, which contributed to his significant score. He highlighted the key moments of vulnerability for a batsman, including the start of the innings when adjusting to the pitch, after reaching a half-century when momentarily losing focus, in the 90s when eager to reach a century quickly, and after getting a century when experiencing a sense of achievement and joy that might lead to a lapse in concentration.
Kohli, being the experienced player he is, avoided these pitfalls and demonstrated remarkable patience and focus throughout his innings. Gavaskar expressed satisfaction with Kohli’s approach and commended his maturity as a batsman.
Looking Ahead with Hope and Anticipation
As the Indian team moves forward, there is a sense of anticipation and hope regarding the future under Ajit Agarkar’s leadership as the Chairman of the selection committee. Gavaskar, like many fans and followers of the sport, is eager to witness any potential changes in the team-building strategy and hopes that young talents will receive the opportunities they deserve to make a mark on the international stage.
In conclusion, India’s dominating performance against West Indies has been impressive, with notable centuries from Kohli and Rohit Sharma. However, Sunil Gavaskar’s concerns about the selection process and the need for nurturing young talents should not be overlooked. As the team moves ahead in the World Test Championship cycle, the focus should be on striking a balance between established players and nurturing the potential of young, promising cricketers.
