Gautam Gambhir torn to shreds by CSK stars: “Even an analyst for ₹50,000 can do that job”
Published - 25 Feb 2026, 04:53 PM | Updated - 25 Feb 2026, 04:58 PM
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India’s team selection has come under heavy fire after their crushing defeat to South Africa in the Super 8 stage of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. Now, all eyes are on India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir and his strategy for their next Super 8 game against Zimbabwe.
Gautam Gambhir under fire for dropping Axar Patel after India’s crushing Super 8 defeat
Ahead of the IND-ZIM Super 8 clash on February 26 in Chennai, the former Indian cricketer Subramaniam Badrinath has criticized Gautam Gambhir’s decision to drop Axar Patel from the playing XI. Patel had done well in the first three matches of the tournament.
He picked up six wickets and kept the runs tight with an economy rate of 6.63. Still, he was left out for the big Super 8 match against South Africa in Ahmedabad. India went with Washington Sundar because South Africa had three left-hand batters in their top order.
Read Also: Kuldeep Yadav officially OUT of India’s Playing XI plans as coach drops blunt verdict
The Indian team management felt an off-spinner would be a better option, but this move backfired badly. Sundar bowled only two overs and could not take a wicket, and India ended up losing the match by 76 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Badrinath believes that such decisions should not be taken based on numbers and data. The former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bowler feels a coach must look at a player’s current form, confidence, fitness, and overall impact. Slamming Gambhir, Badrinath noted that if selection is only about statistics and left-hand vs. right-hand matchups, then even an analyst can do that job.
Subramaniam Badrinath slams Gautam Gambhir's selection approach
Subramaniam Badrinath said in a video posted on his YouTube channel, "Seeing things like a batter has failed x number of times in y number of games is fine. But looking beyond these is what the coach should do at the highest level. To figure out if a player is in form and fit, even if numbers are against him, is why you are appointed as a coach.”
The commentator further added, “If it's just numbers, even an analyst for Rs. 50,000 will do that job. You can just keep an analyst as a coach if everything is just based on numbers. You've been picked as a coach because you've played at the highest level and you see the extra things and not just prioritize matchups. Matchups are only a form of information. It should only add to your strategy and not be your complete strategy. It will never work in sports.”
Read Also: 'Angry' Gautam Gambhir brutally scolded Suryakumar Yadav & Co. after India's loss to South Africa
Lakshmipathy Balaji says Gautam Gambhir's matchup theory is hurting Indian bowlers
Meanwhile, Lakshmipathy Balaji feels that matchups are getting too much importance in modern cricket. He believes that the bowlers suffer the most because of these matchup theories, while batters often continue to get chances even if they struggle against certain types of bowling.
Balaji said during the same discussion, “It should never be about matchups. It is about personality and character. Matchups are definitely overrated, and Axar Patel has all the resources covered. He can bat at multiple positions. He's an exceptional fielder and a great thinker of the game, who can bowl at any stage of the game. Matchups should never be considered for such a value-add cricketer.”
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Gautam Gambhir Axar Patel Subramaniam Badrinath Laxmipathy Balaji India National Cricket Team ICC T20 World CupAbout the Author
Rashmi Wasnik is a passionate content writer with over a decade of experience. She started her journ...
