Krishnamachari Srikkanth, former India captain and ex-BCCI chief selector, has strongly criticized India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir, citing inconsistent team selections as a key factor in India’s recent struggles during the second Test against South Africa. The series, already leaning in South Africa’s favor after their victory in Kolkata, saw the visitors further tighten their grip, prompting Srikkanth’s sharp remarks.
On his YouTube show, Cheeky Cheeka, co-hosted with his son Anirudha, Srikkanth questioned the logic behind several team choices, particularly the exclusion of Axar Patel. He questioned the stability of the team selection. Srikkanth stated, “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.”
Srikkanth also expanded his critique to India’s overall performance, expressing surprise at the pitch’s sudden turn to favor South Africa’s bowlers after Indian players initially described it as batting-friendly. He highlighted the struggles of Indian batsmen against South African spin and pace, questioning captain Rishabh Pant’s shot selection given the match circumstances. He suggested Pant needed to consider the situation more carefully.
While suggesting a draw wasn’t entirely out of reach, Srikkanth stressed the need for addressing deeper issues within the team. “Wrong selection policies,” he asserted, advocating for greater consistency in team selection. As South Africa maintains a 1-0 lead, the pressure intensifies on India’s management, with Srikkanth’s critique ensuring that Gambhir and the selectors remain firmly in the spotlight. The focus now shifts to whether India can regroup and respond effectively in the remainder of the series.
Keywords: Krishnamachari Srikkanth, Gautam Gambhir, India head coach, India vs South Africa, test series, cricket news, team selection.
Image Credit: Crickit
