Mohammad Kaif exposes Gautam Gambhir for hiding behind Rohit Sharma’s legacy, demands Abhishek Sharma’s axing

India’s crushing 76-run defeat against South Africa in the Super 8 game of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad has sparked massive criticism. After the shock, former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif has launched a scathing attack on the team management.

India's 76-run humiliation triggers massive backlash

Kaif pointed at the numbers and exposed the clear gap between the two sides. South Africa scored only 41 runs for 3 wickets in the first six overs. But from overs 7 to 16, they smashed 111 runs while losing just two wickets. That middle-overs attack changed everything.

On the other hand, the defending champions struggled badly. The Indian team crawled to 111 runs in almost 19 overs during their unsuccessful chase at the Narendra Modi Stadium. With this crushing loss, India’s road to the T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal has become very complicated.

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The Men in Blue will now have to win their remaining two games against Zimbabwe and the West Indies. And not just win, but win big to fix their poor net run rate. Even then, qualification may depend on other results and the weather. Overall, the Suryakumar Yadav-led Indian team is under serious pressure.

Mohammad Kaif questions Gautam Gambhir-Suryakumar Yadav leadership

Mohammad Kaif questioned why the current management is being compared to the success of the past. He reminded everyone that India’s 2024 T20 World Cup success came under captain Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid. He made it clear that the present setup under coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav should not hide behind past records.

Mohammad Kaif said on ABP News, "Saying this is our first defeat in the World Cup…is a different thing. Let me tell you, there was a different management when the record was made. There was Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma. Suryakumar Yadav has no role in this World Cup. Keep this in mind. The record that you are talking about, someone else made.”

He said that the current team management got the chance to carry forward the legacy, but they are making blunders like dropping proven match winner Axar Patel.

Mohammad Kaif further said in frustration, "The combination that you are talking about, it is happening up and down there. So, why are you linking their (Rohit-Dravid) achievements to this team? We won the World Cup under Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma, not Gautam Gambhir or Suryakumar Yadav. They were not there. So, don't link these situations.”

Read Also: 'Plan your innings better': India coach fires Abhishek Sharma a strict warning

Mohammad Kaif slams team balance, calls for dropping Abhishek Sharma

He also demanded tough calls. The commentator has pointed out that Abhishek Sharma has failed in four games, so the think tank must now drop the young opener, saying India can’t afford out-of-form players at this stage of the tournament.

The former Indian batter added, “I think we should panic. The batsmen who are out of form, you should give them a break. This is a World Cup match. It is not bilateral. It is a do-or-die match. Abhishek Sharma is not in form. You have given him chances in four matches, and he failed. Now, give him a break; don’t stretch. You have a right-handed batter… give him the game.”

Mohammad Kaif further attacked the team management, saying the playing XI lacks proper all-rounders and reliable bowling options.

He signed off by saying, “They have not picked a perfect team. If you consider Shivam Dube the sixth bowling option and Washington Sundar, who is not playing regularly, as the fifth bowling option, then I am sorry, we are too far away from winning the World Cup.”

🚨 Mohammed Kaif:

“Saying this is our first WC loss is wrong. Those records were made under Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma. They won the World cup not Gautam Gambhir or Suryakumar Yadav. So don’t link them to past wins, they had no role in it.’’

pic.twitter.com/ladk1SjqSk

— Rohan💫 (@rohann__45) February 23, 2026