K Srikkanth Upset with Gautam Gambhir’s U-turn on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli

Krishnamachari Srikkanth has taken Gautam Gambhir to task over what he calls a “U-Turn” regarding senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Gambhir, who is now India’s Head Coach, previously suggested that if these senior players did not perform well in the T20 World Cup 2024, they might be left out of the team.

However, Gambhir’s recent comments seem to contradict his earlier stance. He now says that having players like Rohit and Kohli for as long as possible would be ideal, even hoping they could play in the 2027 World Cup if they stay fit.

Srikkanth, speaking on his YouTube channel “Cheeky Cheeka,” pointed out this shift. He noted that Gambhir’s current view is that both players have plenty of cricket left in them, which seems to be at odds with his previous position.

Srikkanth also mentioned that while Kohli, with his fitness, might make it to the next ODI World Cup, it would be challenging for Rohit, who is 37 and would be 40 by the 2027 World Cup. Srikkanth compared this to players like MS Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar, who were exceptional in their later years.

During the discussion, Srikkanth’s son, Anirudha, disagreed with his father’s strong criticism of Gambhir’s comments. Anirudha suggested giving Gambhir some leeway in this situation.

GAUTAM GAMBHIR CONTROVERTIAL NEW HEAD COACH TEAM INDIA?

Amidst a tumultuous period for Indian cricket, Gautam Gambhir’s appointment as head coach is stirring comparisons to the controversial tenure of Greg Chappell, who coached India from 2005 to 2007. Chappell faced criticism for his management style, perceived interference in team selection, and strained relationships with senior players, notably Sourav Ganguly. His tenure culminated in India’s disappointing early exit from the 2007 Cricket World Cup, intensifying scrutiny and public criticism.

Comparisons to Chappell have fueled rumors that “Team India is not positive” about Gambhir’s leadership. Speculation centers on concerns over his coaching approach, communication style, and handling of player relationships, echoing past critiques of Chappell’s tenure.

These discussions come amidst retirements of key players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja from T20 Internationals, along with Hardik Pandya’s absence from the Sri Lankan tour, marking significant changes for the team. The potential for Shubman Gill’s captaincy and challenges faced by the BCCI in meeting Gambhir’s demands further add to the uncertainty surrounding the team’s current situation.

In cricketing circles, parallels to Chappell raise questions about potential disconnects between Gambhir and the team, crucial for maintaining cohesion and performance. The success of any coach hinges on tactical acumen, player trust, managing egos, and fostering a supportive environment.

As the cricket fraternity watches closely, the true impact of Gambhir’s leadership will unfold through team performance and reactions from players and officials, offering insights into his coaching effectiveness and the team’s trajectory amidst these pivotal changes.

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