India's head coach Gautam Gambhir praised Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for their pivotal roles in the team's 2-1 ODI series triumph over South Africa but cautioned against overinterpreting their resurgence with the 2027 World Cup still two years away. Kohli, who clinched the Player of the Series award with 302 runs, including two centuries and a half-century, and Rohit, with back-to-back fifties totalling 150 runs, combined for a dominant 155-run opening stand in the decisive third match, enabling a nine-wicket chase of 273. Gambhir, speaking at the post-match press conference, described the duo as "world-class players" whose experience remains invaluable in the dressing room.
Gambhir expressed hope that Kohli and Rohit could sustain their form, stating, "They’ve been doing it for a long time. Hopefully, they can continue doing the same, which is going to be important in the 50-over format." He emphasised that their contributions silenced doubters but reiterated the need for a balanced squad, refusing to offer guarantees on their spots for the upcoming cycle. This comes amid speculation fuelled by their Test retirements earlier in 2025 and a transitional phase under Gambhir's leadership, where the coach has faced scrutiny for his tactical decisions following recent home Test defeats.
Balancing seniority with youth, Gambhir affirmed that emerging talents Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad—both of whom smashed centuries in the series as injury replacements for Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer—will receive ample opportunities upon the regulars' return. "They are quality players, and we need to give them chances wherever possible," he noted, highlighting Jaiswal's maiden ODI tonne in the decider as a sign of India's deepening batting depth. This approach aligns with Gambhir's philosophy of merit-based selection, even as Kohli's vintage knocks evoked memories of his dominant 2010s era.
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The series win provided a timely boost after India's 2-0 Test whitewash by the same opponents, with Gambhir using the occasion to launch a pointed rant against external criticism, including a suggestion from an IPL team owner for "split coaching" roles. "If we don't go into someone's domain, they don't have the right to come into ours," he fired back, defending his tenure amid reports of strained relations with senior players. Gambhir also lauded the bowling attack, particularly Harshit Rana's all-round potential, as key to building a robust unit for the 2027 tournament hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
As India eyes a packed white-ball calendar, Gambhir's measured optimism underscores a team in flux—leveraging the wisdom of veterans like Kohli and Rohit while nurturing the next generation. The coach's comments reflect a pragmatic roadmap, prioritising consistency over hype, with the series victory serving as a morale lifter ahead of upcoming bilateral engagements.
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