Last Updated:
Gavaskar’s reaction came after Indian players produced a shambolic show in the five-match Test series against Australia, which concluded in Sydney on Sunday.
Sunil Gavaskar wants end of star culture in Indian cricket. (Picture Credit: AP, PTI)
After India suffered a humiliating 1-3 series defeat against Australia in the 2024-25 edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which concluded on Sunday (January 5), former Indian captain and legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar slammed Indian players and also called for the end of star culture in Indian cricket. Gavaskar, who was the first batter to score 10,000 runs in Test cricket, was furious after disappointing performances by Indian players on the tour Down Under and said that players need to show their commitment to the sport.
“I think the next 8–10 days are crucial for Indian cricket to take a good, honest look at itself. Most importantly, the star culture has to end. Total commitment to Indian cricket is non-negotiable,” Gavaskar was quoted as saying by India Today.
According to the 75-year-old former opener, players should make themselves available for every series, and if someone is not committed to playing, then he shouldn’t be considered for selection.
“Players must make themselves available every single time unless there’s a genuine medical emergency. If someone isn’t fully committed, they shouldn’t be considered for selection,” Gavaskar said.
“We don’t need players who are partly here and partly elsewhere. It’s time to stop pampering anyone. The recent results have been disappointing—we should have been in the World Test Championship final but didn’t make it,” he added.
India was in pole position to qualify for the third World Test Championship final in a row after the conclusion of the two-match Test series at home against Bangladesh in the first week of October, but Rohit Sharma’s men could only manage to win one of the last eight Tests, which ended its chances of winning another ICC trophy.
India’s failure to qualify for the third WTC final in a row irked many fans and former players, and following India’s first Test series defeat against Australia since 2014-15, Gavaskar urged the BCCI to put their foot down and take strict measures to restore accountability.
“The cricket board needs to stop acting like admirers and put their foot down. They must tell the players that Indian cricket comes first. It’s either a full commitment to Indian cricket or other priorities—you can’t have it both ways. If Indian cricket is your priority, only then should you be selected,” Gavaskar concluded.
