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Team India is currently touring Australia for the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. However, they trail the series 1-2 against Australia after the latter won the fourth Test in Melbourne by 184 runs to take a lead going into the Sydney Test. However, India’s solitary victory came in the first Test in Perth under Jasprit Bumrah’s leadership.
Apart from Bumrah, who is the highest wicket-taker of the series with 30 scalps from four Tests, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Washington Sundar have been the only bright spots, along with KL Rahul also showing improved signs with the bat. None of the senior batters, including the likes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have stood up, raising concerns in the Indian dressing room.
Gautam Gambhir at crossroads with BCCI over Cheteshwar Pujara snub: Reports
In the latest turn of events, Team India Head Coach Gautam Gambhir is seemingly at crossroads with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), especially in regard with team selection and strategy. As per a report by The Indian Express, the atmosphere within the Indian dressing room has been divided for some time now, with unrest being caused over team selection as well.
The report states that Gambhir had requested the selection of veteran Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara on multiple occasions ahead of the first Test against Australia in Perth. However, his request was ignored by the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar. Even after India had won the Perth Test, Gambhir was reportedly asking for Pujara's inclusion, but the BCCI declined the move.
It is to be noted that Pujara has played 103 Tests, with an average of 43.60. He played a pivotal role in India’s previous two series win in Australia, but hasn’t featured in the side since India’s loss at the World Test Championship Final in 2023.
