In light of India's loss in the final Test and thus their failure to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, cricketing icon Sunil Gavaskar accessed the performance of the team and feels that the current crop of players needs more such hungry players who want to make a name for India like young talents Yashasvi Jaiswal and Nitish Reddy.
Jaiswal has scored 391 runs in five Tests, of which 161 came in his brilliant second innings knock in the series opener in Perth, where India won by 295 runs. He had a brief period of struggle before scoring 82 and 84 in the Melbourne Test.
On the other hand, Reddy scored 298 runs in nine innings across five matches. He started off with handy knocks of 41, 38 not out on his Test debut. He further scored 42, 42 before bettering it with a maiden Test century in Melbourne, providing a much-needed contribution from the lower order.
"If we talk about the macro picture, like we saw with Nitish Kumar Reddy and Yashasvi Jaiswal-they are hungry. They are hungry to earn a name for India. They are hungry to earn a name for themselves. Such players are needed. You need such players who will protect their wicket like their life. You need such players. You can play with them on stroke. But the commitment I want to see.".
"That's why I'm interested that on January 23, in the Ranji Trophy matches, who will play? I want to see that. Because at that time, there will be T20 matches against England. But those who are not playing T20, will they play Ranji Trophy matches or not?" said Gavaskar to Star Sports.
Further speaking about India's batting weakness in the series, Gavaskar pointed out: "How many Indian players scored centuries? Beyond the first test with two of them, one hundred from Nitish Kumar Reddy. How many made half centuries?
"You can say it is not easy to make a century, but how many players made half-centuries and tried to turn the match? It did not happen because the application that is required in Test cricket - the application and determination - was very low."
India suffered a Border-Gavaskar Trophy series defeat after losing to New Zealand 3-0 at home. The legend delves into what Team India can do after this shabby display for quite some months in Test matches.
"What I saw were technical deficiencies. If you have been making the same mistakes, and I am not just talking about this series—I am talking about the New Zealand series as well—what did you do against New Zealand in India? And that's why, now, because the next cycle will start in June, we have not qualified for the World Test Championship. From now on, we should be ready for it. If we have to take tough decisions, then we will have to take them," he said.
Gavaskar also argued that the players should have no excuse to not play in the domestic cricket. He stated that the Ranji Trophy matches will start on January 23 and that the coach Gautam Gambhir will have to make some tough decisions with regard to unavailable players.
"Today is January 5. On January 23, there is the next round of the Ranji Trophy. Let's see how many players from this squad play. Let's see how many people are available. And there should be no excuse for not being able to play.".
"If you do not play those matches, then I say that Gautam Gambhir will have to take a few tough decisions against those who are not available for the Ranji Trophy, saying, 'You do not have that commitment. We need commitment. You are not playing. Whatever you want to do, do it. But for Indian cricket, you cannot return to the Test squad," he said.
India will host England for three ODIs and five T20Is from January 22 to February 12.
Read also| Bumrah Delivered the Best Fast Bowling Series I've Ever Seen: Ponting
Read also| Pant Hits Fastest Test Fifty on Australian Soil by a Visiting Batter
