Gautam Gambhir showered with vile abuse for dropping Arshdeep Singh, backing Harshit Rana-Prasidh Krishna vs NZ
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Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir's another controversial experiment has landed him amid criticism. Gambhir benched Arshdeep Singh and retained Prasidh Krishna alongside Harshit Rana in the XI, even though Krishna had a terrible economy in the last month's South Africa series.
India have started their tour against New Zealand, which includes three ODI games to be played between the 11th and 18th of January. The matches would be followed by a tight T20I schedule, which will be marked as preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Going into the first game of the series, Gautam Gambhir has made some controversial calls on the final XI and have shocked all by retaining the bowler who had the worst economy in the previous series against South Africa.
Arshdeep Singh benched; India pick Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna alongside Mohammed Siraj
Indian skipper Shubman Gill won the toss, which is a positive sign for India in the series. India have now won back-to-back tosses in the ODI games, as Rahul won the toss in the third ODI against South Africa as well.
Shubman Gill announced the playing XI, and Arshdeep Singh had missed his chance in the playing XI despite having picked 5 wickets in the last series and an economy of less than 5.5, which should have helped him retain his place.
Gambhir instead opted to go with Prasidh Krishna, the Gujarat Titans speedster who had the worst economy in the South Africa series. However, Krishna picked valuable wickets in the last match of the series.
Mohammed Siraj and Harshit Rana are among the other two pacers who have been picked. Rana has every card under his belt to show why he should be part of the XI, and Siraj has been brought back into the squad to be the new ball bowler for India alongside Jasprit Bumrah for the 2027 World Cup.
Nitish Kumar Reddy not included in the Playing XI after widespread criticism
Immense controversies surfaced when Nitish Kumar Reddy, the all-rounder, was named in the squad for the ODI series against New Zealand. Hardik Pandya, though fit, was rested for the ODIs to keep him fresh for the ICC T20 World Cup.
Reddy was not named in the playing XI, after criticisms claimed his dismissal from the squad since he has managed nothing special until now, but it is also to be noted that he has only featured in 2 games for India.
Ravindra Jadeja will be playing as a no. 6 batter in the side, while Washington Sundar, the other spin all-rounder, has been named at no. 7. India have gone with three pacers and three spinners for the Vadodara match.
"It's GG Era," Fans troll Gautam Gambhir for Prasidh Krishna's selection over Arshdeep Singh
Lord Parsidh Krishna is playing in place of Arshdeep because the opposing team needs more runs.
— surya (@suryap_021) January 11, 2026
So you are telling me we are going with Prasidh Krishna instead of Arshdeep Singh. Isn't it obvious favouritism pic.twitter.com/mE8Fb2fPPd
— Perk 💸 (@arrestagarkar) January 11, 2026
Clown coach and Clown management 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡
— En#oM@resc@13579 (@Harry19877132) January 11, 2026
What else can you expect from this GG ??
— sports24x7 (@sports_talks247) January 11, 2026
I LITERALLY PRAYING FOR FIRST TIME INDIA LOST EVERYTHING IN CRICKET BECAUSE WHEN INDIA WON GAMBHIR STARTED DOING HIS THINGS.
— Sarabjeet6392 (@sarabjeetreview) January 11, 2026
WHO THE HELL PLAY PRASIDH OR HARSHIT OVER ARSHDEEP 😡😡😡#ArshdeepSingh #JusticeforArshdeep pic.twitter.com/HZqZ265P9c
Bc Arshdeep ko kyu baithaya...uske bdle prasidh ko khila rhe kaisa chutiya hai gambhir 🤡l#INDVSNZODI
— cheekufanboy (@cheekufanboy) January 11, 2026
again Prasidh playing ahead of Arshdeep gg mc dub mar tu
— Aman (@AmanDVSJ) January 11, 2026
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India National Cricket Team New Zealand National Cricket Team India vs New Zealand New Zealand vs India Arshdeep Singh Prasidh Krishna Gautam GambhirAbout the Author
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