"Gautam Gambhir can say whatever he wants, I don't care"- Indian selector's open revolt declared

Former cricketer Kris Srikkanth slammed Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir after their poor first-innings performance against South Africa in the second Test at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. Srikkanth stated that Gambhir is constantly chopping and changing, which has disrupted stability.

The Men in Blue collapsed to 201 in 83.5 overs during the first innings. Marco Jansen was the pick of the bowlers for the visitors with a six-wicket haul.

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Washington Sundar showed fight against the South African bowling attack. India never came close to the Proteas’ first-innings total of 489.

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Gautam Gambhir Can Say Whatever He Wants - Kris Srikkanth

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kris Srikkanth questioned the team selection and the constant changes under Gautam Gambhir. Srikkanth said that Axar Patel should not be dropped, given his consistency across formats.

“I guess this can be a draw. But wrong selection policies. Why isn't Axar Patel not playing? Was he unfit for this Test match? He has been consistent at all levels. Why so much chop change?” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel, ‘cheekycheeka’.

“Every alternate match, someone is making a debut. They can say trial and error. Gautam Gambhir can say whatever he wants. I don’t care. I have been a former captain and a former chairman of selectors; I know what I'm talking about. I am not talking through my hat. You need consistency. I gave credit to Indians when they did brilliantly in England, right?”

Indians Edging to Slips to Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj - Kris Srikkanth

Srikkanth said that India still lost wickets in the slips to Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, and to Marco Jansen’s short balls. Srikkanth added that the hosts’ struggles exposed a disconnect between their assessment of conditions and their actual execution on the field.

“I don’t understand. I saw Kuldeep Yadav’s quotes (at the end of the second day’s play) about how ‘pitch is a road, nothing happens ‘. Then today we see Indians edging to slips to Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj. And also getting out to bouncers from Marco Jansen.. five wickets to short balls!" Srikkanth stated.

"Simon Harmer loops it up.. flights the ball unlike our spinners who were shooting it flat. And Jansen takes wickets from bouncers on ‘road wicket’.”

Rishabh Pant Runs Down and Slogs - Kris Srikkanth

Kris Srikkanth also slammed Indian batters for their shot selection. He criticised Rishabh Pant for rushing down the pitch to heave at Marco Jansen, adding that the captain must read the match situation better.

“Rishabh Pant runs down and slogs.. They will say it’s a natural game. But he is the captain. Shouldn’t he see the match situation?” Srikkanth said.

India were in a comfortable position at one stage at 95-1, but wickets kept falling at regular intervals. Pant advanced down the pitch to attack Marco Jansen, only to edge the ball to the wicketkeeper. The reckless shots and the Proteas’ bowling ensured India conceded a massive first-innings lead.

Also read: KL Rahul drops Aiden Markram again in Guwahati Test, Jasprit Bumrah left frustrated