Gautam Gambhir’s obsession with Washington Sundar mocked as ‘All-In-One Solution’ amid T20 WC 2026

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar criticized head coach Gautam Gambhir ahead of India’s second T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 match against Zimbabwe. Manjrekar said that Gambhir was relying too heavily on Washington Sundar, adding that the all-rounder had become an all-in-one solution to every problem.

India will take on Zimbabwe in Chennai on February 26. They are under pressure after a 76-run loss to South Africa in their opening game of the Super 8s. The defeat has put their semi-final chances at risk and sparked reactions around team selection, including the choice of Sundar over Axar in the playing XI.

Sanjay Manjrekar Questions Gautam Gambhir’s Over-Reliance on Washington Sundar

In an interview with Cricket Next, Sanjay Manjrekar questioned Gautam Gambhir’s over-reliance on Washington Sundar. Manjrekar compared Sundar’s role to an old all-purpose medicine, saying he was being treated as the answer to every problem.

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"Kailash Jeevan, there used to be a medicine by that name back in the day. If you had a headache, you’d apply it. If you had a stomach ache, you’d take it. It was an all-in-one remedy. Gautam Gambhir seems to have an all-in-one solution for everything too, Washington Sundar," Manjrekar said.

"If there’s a batting issue, Washi is the answer. If there’s a bowling problem, same answer. He was promoted up the order to No. 6 or 7 today, and it was just too much," he added.

Suryakumar Yadav Is Struggling the Most Against Slower Deliveries - Sanjay Manjrekar

India’s problems with slower deliveries were clearly exposed in the loss to South Africa, where pace variations caused major trouble for their batting line-up. South African fast bowler Lungi Ngidi used changes of pace effectively, leaving India’s batters unable to settle.

Sanjay Manjrekar said the team should shift their focus to handling slower balls and spin. He stated that captain Suryakumar Yadav has struggled the most against these deliveries. India’s net run rate has suffered after the heavy defeat and needs urgent improvement.

“Forget fast bowling – focus on playing the slower balls. They are not able to handle slower balls or spinners. The captain is struggling the most against slower deliveries," Manjrekar said.

Axar Patel Outshines Washington Sundar as Selection Debate Grows

Washington Sundar played in India’s last two games after Axar Patel featured in the first three matches of the tournament. Axar took six wickets in his three games, while Sundar is yet to take a wicket in his two outings so far.

Sundar has been in and out of the team, while Axar has been a regular pick in the format over the past few years. Sundar has taken 51 wickets in 60 T20Is at an average of 23.80 and an economy of 6.98. With the bat, he has scored 265 runs at an average of 16.56 and a strike rate of 132.50.

Axar has picked up 92 wickets in 90 T20Is at an average of 21.15 and an economy rate of 7.29. The left-arm spinner has scored 700 runs at an average of 18.42 in T20Is and a strike rate of 134.09. Both players have scored one half-century each in T20I cricket.

Also read: Sanju Samson IN, Rinku Singh retained as India Playing XI for Zimbabwe clash named