Rahane delivers pointed message to Gambhir amid India's Test slump

Former India batter Ajinkya Rahane has said the Indian Test team must rediscover the fight and patience that once defined its success, sending a clear message to head coach Gautam Gambhir about the value of senior players as the side grapples with a prolonged slump in the longest format.

Rahane, who recently retired from international cricket and last played a Test in 2023, made the remarks during his first podcast appearance since calling time on his career. While India have won two ICC trophies in white-ball cricket under Gambhir in the last two years, the Test team has endured a difficult period, including two home series whitewashes. India are currently fifth in the World Test Championship standings and fighting to qualify for the final.

'Test cricket needs character'

Speaking on the Stick to Cricket podcast, Rahane said watching the team struggle from home had been difficult, and underlined what he believes the format demands.

"Because I haven't been playing Test cricket for the last two years, I've been sitting at home, watching the Indian team lose matches even in India as well. I think Test cricket needs character. You need to build such characters and play competitive cricket. That's what's important. Playing session out. You don't see many teams do that. I don't want to pinpoint any team, but you want to see people play out those tough sessions,"

Rahane also reflected on his history with Gambhir, with whom he shared the dressing room as a player, though he was careful to note he never played under him as a coach.

"I have played with him [Gambhir]. I was not with KKR when he was the coach. I never played under him when he was the coach. We played together when we came here [in England], and even in India. But I feel Test cricket is always about playing sessions, seeing out tough moments,"

Mass exodus of senior stars leaves void

Rahane pointed to the rapid transition in the Indian Test side, which has lost Ravichandran Ashwin, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the setup within the space of six months. Among the current squad, only Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah have played 50 or more Tests.

"Test cricket fans are actual cricket lovers. What we built apart from the last two years when new players came in Test cricket, I still feel Test cricket needs 7-8 senior players and 2-3 younger players. What we are seeing now is that all the players are actually new. There's hardly any senior cricketer left. So, Test cricket needs that,"

'Frankly, yes I do fear for Test cricket'

The former India vice-captain admitted he is concerned about the future of the format itself, and said retaining experienced players is essential to its survival.

"Frankly, yes I do (fear for Test cricket). Because the way it is going, we all want Test cricket to survive, to be there – India, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa. These 4-5 teams specially. Because what I have seen in the last 2-3 years, you need to keep and respect the senior players, especially because with the Indian team, all the senior players going out together at once, that's been the issue,"

India will begin a two-Test series against Sri Lanka in Galle on August 15, with Gambhir's side looking to steady their World Test Championship campaign.