What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
Sunil Gavaskar sharply criticizes India’s BGT loss, questioning the team’s preparation and coaching ahead of the England tour.
NEW DELHI: India’s defeat in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) against Australia has sparked strong criticism from legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar. Despite a strong start in Perth, India faltered in three out of the last four games, culminating in a series loss. This defeat not only ended India’s hopes of regaining the trophy but also cost them a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final, their third consecutive appearance in the prestigious match.
Sunil Gavaskar didn’t hold back in expressing his frustration with the Indian team’s performance during the series. Speaking during a live broadcast on Star Sports, the cricket legend sharply criticized India’s approach and preparation, calling into question the team’s cricketing knowledge. Gavaskar pointed out that the team had failed to improve despite multiple opportunities, referencing India’s poor batting displays, including the infamous 46-run collapse against Australia and New Zealand. “We don’t know cricket. We just speak for TV and get money, don’t listen to us. We’re nothing. Listen from one ear, remove from another,” Gavaskar said, visibly upset by India’s lack of progress.
ALSO READ: India’s BGT loss: Bumrah’s brilliance overshadowed by batting, selections
He raised pointed concerns about the lack of preparation and the effectiveness of the coaching staff under head coach Rahul Dravid. “What is your coaching staff doing? The way we were bowled out for 46 and the kind of batting Indian batters have shown, the question should arise: what did you do? Where is the improvement?” he asked. He further emphasized the importance of preparation for tough conditions like those in Australia, adding, “You should have played more matches in Australia. You should have prepared better for Australian conditions.”
Gavaskar also suggested that the Indian team needed a serious review of their coaching staff ahead of the upcoming England tour. With only two to three months before India’s next big challenge, Gavaskar emphasized that drastic improvements were necessary to avoid another disappointing tour. “In this programme, you might ask if these players should continue in the future. I am asking, shall we continue with this coaching staff? We have two to three months’ time before the England tour. How will you improve in the future?”
#SunilGavaskar shares his candid thoughts on how India’s coaching staff may have fallen short during the #BorderGavaskarTrophy. 🇮🇳⚡#AUSvINDonStar #ToughestRivalry #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/pHwnD3UyWR
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) January 5, 2025
In addition to his criticism of the team’s performance, Gavaskar also expressed his disappointment at not being invited to present the BGT trophy to Australia after the final Test in Sydney. “I certainly would have loved to be there for the presentation. After all, it is the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and it is about Australia and India,” Gavaskar said. He questioned the decision to not include him in the presentation ceremony despite his contribution to Indian cricket. “Just because I am an Indian, I couldn’t present the trophy? I would have been happy to share that moment with my friend Allan Border,” he added, referring to the tradition of honoring legendary figures in the game.
Gavaskar’s passionate outburst highlights the deep concerns surrounding India’s current Test team. While Bumrah’s brilliance was evident, India’s overall performance fell short due to batting failures and questionable preparations. With a crucial tour of England on the horizon, India must take a hard look at their strategies, coaching, and player performances to bounce back stronger in the future. As Gavaskar rightly pointed out, India’s cricketing future depends on both players and coaching staff stepping up to the plate. The upcoming months will be critical in shaping the team’s direction ahead of their next international challenge.
