Former India Batter Blames Gautam Gambhir for Pushing Kohli, Rohit Away From Tests

India's results in Test cricket have been far from ideal. While the 2-2 draw in England was a commendable effort, they suffered a whitewash at the hands of New Zealand and also lost the first Test against South Africa in Kolkata a few days ago - both at home.

India no longer have the option to fall back on two of their most experienced players in Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as they announced their retirement from Tests ahead of the England tour. 

Former India batter Manoj Tiwary believes they were forced out of the team and he does not buy into this entire "transition period" theory. 

“This whole ‘transition phase’ talk—I don’t agree with it. India doesn’t need a transition. New Zealand or Zimbabwe need transition,” he told India Today as per Times of India. 

“Our domestic cricket is full of talented performers waiting for chances. Because of this unnecessary transition, our star players—like Virat and Rohit—who wanted to keep playing Test cricket and protect its sanctity, slowly stepped back because of the atmosphere created around them.”

Tiwary went on to add that Gambhir should take responsibility for the loss as head coach of the side and not deflect it onto his players. “You cannot blame players’ technique after losing. As a coach, your job is to teach, not to blame,” he said.

“If the batters didn’t have solid defence, why weren’t they trained before the match? When he played, Gambhir himself was a good player of spin, so he should teach more. The results aren’t in India’s favour.”

With India 1-0 down, they have a chance to draw level in the two-match series in the second Test in Guwahati, starting November 22 (Saturday).