Pujara and Rahane Show Hunger by Sweating it Out in Domestic Cricket: Sanjay Bangar on Rohit-Virat Skipping Ranji Trophy

Add as a preferred source on Google

Following India's disappointing defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, cricket experts Sanjay Bangar and Deep Das Gupta shared their assessments of the team's shortcomings and the road ahead for senior players, including captain Rohit Sharma and star batter Virat Kohli.

The discussions, aired exclusively on Star Sports, revolved around Team India's selection, mindset, and performance of key players Down Under as coach Gautam Gambhir's team lost the BGT Series after 10 years.

Sanjay Bangar on Rohit Sharma's Hunger

Former India head coach Sanjay Bangar emphasized the importance of hunger and determination for seasoned players like Rohit Sharma. Reflecting on Rohit's recent struggles, Bangar remarked:

"When you are 37 years old, every failure stings a little more because a cricketer is a very proud individual. Rohit must look within and ask himself if he still has the hunger to compete in Test cricket. If he does, that hunger must translate into action. Players like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, who are of a similar stature, have faced setbacks but showcased their determination by grinding it out in domestic cricket. Even today, they are sweating it out on domestic grounds, a big step down from international cricket."

Bangar continued to highlight Rohit's intent, noting: "Rohit has expressed his desire to continue playing for India, saying, 'I'm not going anywhere; I still want to play.' If he backs that statement with performances in domestic cricket, no one can question his place. But he must prove that hunger through consistent form."

Deep Das Gupta's Perspective

Echoing similar sentiments, former wicketkeeper-batsman Deep Das Gupta underlined the pivotal role of hunger and self-sacrifice in sustaining a Test career after achieving great heights.

"The biggest question is whether the hunger still burns within them. At this stage of their careers, it's not about class, that's undoubted, but about willingness to grind. For players like Rohit, even one or two domestic games can reignite that spark. His last innings showed glimpses of form, but hunger and the ability to make sacrifices are crucial to bounce back after such setbacks," said Das Gupta.

He also pointed to the timeline of India's next Test series, slated for June, and highlighted the importance of whatever red-ball cricket opportunities arise in the interim: "The next two weeks, with domestic red-ball cricket available, are critical for senior players to make a statement."

Defensive Mindset Cost India

Addressing India's team strategy, Das Gupta expressed concerns over a defensive approach that seemed to define the series from the outset:

"The team's mindset is reflected in its selection. In the first Test, India went in with a batting-heavy combination up to No. 8, including Washington Sundar as a specialist batter despite limited bowling overs. This defensive setup diluted the bowling strength and hurt the team's chances. A positive mindset is key to clarity and execution in every facet of the game."

Bangar added his analysis, pointing out the challenges faced by the team management: "The unexpected performance of Nitish Reddy added to the team's dilemmas. Combining him with Washington Sundar or Ravindra Jadeja created confusion. In-form players are hard to drop, but decisions must be proactive, especially on challenging pitches. A reactive approach only adds to the pressure and leads to missteps in team combinations."