India's Test cricket team is facing severe criticism after suffering a 2-0 home series whitewash against South Africa. Former cricketers Anil Kumble and Venkatesh Prasad have publicly condemned head coach Gautam Gambhir's rotation policies, labeling them as "rank poor tactics." The series loss has sparked a significant backlash from fans and experts alike, with many questioning Gambhir's strategies and team selections.
Kumble and Prasad's criticism centers on the perceived inconsistency in team selection under Gambhir's leadership. They argue that the constant chopping and changing of the playing XI has destabilized the team, preventing players from settling into their roles. This sentiment echoes the views of other former players like Kris Srikkanth, who has also openly criticized Gambhir for dropping in-form players and experimenting excessively. Srikkanth questioned the omission of Axar Patel, highlighting the lack of consistency in selection. He stated that Gambhir's approach felt like endless trial and error, and that consistency is needed in team selections.
Gambhir's strategy of demanding spin-heavy wickets has also come under scrutiny. The intention was to exploit India's perceived strength in spin bowling; however, this strategy backfired spectacularly, with India losing all Tests played on such turning tracks under Gambhir's watch. The team's repeated fourth-innings batting collapses exposed frailties on pitches that were supposed to favor them. Critics argue that this inflexibility has hindered the team and failed to capitalize on the strengths of India's fast bowlers.
Further compounding the issue is Gambhir's public communication style, which some view as rigid and dismissive. There are perceptions that he attributes losses primarily to player failures rather than acknowledging strategic flaws.
Statistics highlight the extent of the changes under Gambhir. In just one year as head coach, he has used 24 players in Test matches. This contrasts sharply with Virat Kohli's seven-year tenure as captain, during which only 41 players were used. In the recent series, Washington Sundar was played at No. 3 in one Test, then pushed down to No. 8 in the next, while Sai Sudharsan, who scored 87 in a previous Test, was dropped and then recalled.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has voiced its support for Gambhir, with Secretary Devajit Saikia stating that the board has full confidence in the coach and selectors. However, this backing hasn't quelled the rising tide of criticism.
India's recent struggles in Test cricket have led to questions about the team's mindset and overall approach. The pressure is mounting on Gambhir and the team management to reassess their strategies and selection policies to reverse the current trend.
