Gavaskar Sparks Fury: Claims Kohli & Rohit’s Australia ODI Return Is “Agenda-Driven”
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In a stinging critique, Sunil Gavaskar questioned the motivations behind Kohli and Rohit rejoining India’s ODI squad for the Australia tour, alleging that their availability is “agenda-driven.” He claimed that “if this were a trip to Zimbabwe or the West Indies, both of them would not have been available,” pointing to India’s painful loss to Australia in the 2023 World Cup final as a possible catalyst for their return.
Gavaskar stopped short of ruling them out for the 2027 World Cup but warned their path to selection would be difficult. Given the shrinking ODI calendar, he noted, competing in only seven or eight games per year offers limited match practice—especially for senior players. He also urged both to keep sharp by participating in domestic tournaments like the Vijay Hazare Trophy whenever scheduling permits.
Responding in the media, Ajit Agarkar, head of India’s selection committee, acknowledged that Rohit and Kohli have been selected for Australia’s ODIs but declined to confirm their place in long-term World Cup plans. He emphasized that current selections were made solely for the Australia tour, with performance in the upcoming matches likely to have bearing on future inclusion.
Gavaskar’s remarks have stirred debate across cricketing circles, fueling speculation about the sincerity of the duo’s return and underlining the challenges veteran players face in maintaining relevance in a fast-evolving squad setup.
