New Delhi:
In the wake of India’s dismal performance in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar has unleashed a scathing critique of the team’s performance and the pervasive ‘star culture’ that he believes is crippling Indian cricket. Gavaskar’s comments follow India’s 1-3 series defeat against Australia, which concluded on January 5, marking the team’s first Test series loss to Australia since the 2014-15 season.
Gavaskar, a legendary batter who was the first to score 10,000 runs in Test cricket, emphasized the urgent need for a cultural shift within the Indian cricket team. He stressed that the time has come for Indian cricket to take a hard look at itself and end the ‘star culture’ that has been detrimental to the team’s overall performance.
The Need for Total Commitment
India’s series defeat against Australia was more than just a loss; it was a stark reminder of the team’s failure to qualify for the World Test Championship final, a position they had been well-placed to secure earlier. Gavaskar’s frustration is rooted in the lack of commitment shown by some of the team’s senior players. He argued that players must be fully committed to the team and available for every series, except in cases of genuine medical emergencies. “Players must make themselves available every single time unless there’s a genuine medical emergency. If someone isn’t fully committed, they shouldn’t be considered for selection,” Gavaskar insisted.
Critique of Senior Players
Gavaskar’s comments were particularly aimed at veteran batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, whose international futures are now under scrutiny. Sharma, who was dropped for the Sydney Test after a poor run, and Kohli, who has been criticized for his reluctance to play domestic cricket, are seen as symbols of the ‘star culture’ that Gavaskar believes needs to be dismantled. Kohli’s last appearance in domestic cricket dates back over a decade, and his recent form has been underwhelming, with an average of just 15 in the first innings of Tests in 2024.
BCCI’s Role in Restoring Accountability
Gavaskar urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to take a firmer stance and stop pampering players. He emphasized that the BCCI must prioritize Indian cricket over individual interests. “The cricket board needs to stop acting like admirers and put their foot down. They must tell the players that Indian cricket comes first. It’s either a full commitment to Indian cricket or other priorities—you can’t have it both ways,” Gavaskar said.
A Call for Cultural Change
The recent series defeat has sparked a broader debate about the team culture and the need for a more cohesive and committed unit. Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan echoed Gavaskar’s sentiments, calling for an end to the ‘superstar culture’ and a shift towards a more team-oriented approach. “We need to end superstar culture, we need team culture. You need to improve yourself and improve the Indian team,” Pathan said.
As India prepares for its next red-ball assignment in June against England, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining the future of Indian cricket and whether the BCCI will heed Gavaskar’s call for a radical overhaul.
