“There could be personal things”

Gautam Gambhir’s former teammate and legend Ravichandran Ashwin made a massive remark on the India head coach following the humiliating loss to Ireland. India suffered a 0-2 whitewash in the away two-match T20I series.

Ashwin remarked that people often tend to misunderstand Gautam Gambhir. Following the defeat, questions have been raised about the team selection and certain players not being included due to the coach’s likes or dislikes. However, Ashwin backed Gambhir, stating that having a different point of view does not mean disliking somebody.

“When there are talks about Gambhir, sometimes it comes out in a manner where we don’t get it in a way that he is trying to say it. I think he is a very misunderstood person. There could be personal things. In India and Indian cricket, it will take us time to realise that a difference in view or point of view does not mean that you don’t like the other person. It is okay to disagree. Like and point of view are very different,” he said on his YouTube channel.

It was India’s first-ever defeat against Ireland in international cricket across formats and also the first time that they lost a series against them.

Ravichandran Ashwin on Gautam Gambhir’s ‘all-rounders’ strategy

Of late, Gautam Gambhir has been criticised for filling the team with too many all-rounders. While Ravichandran Ashwin said that he was not a fan of the strategy in Test cricket, he believed that it could certainly bring a lot of balance as far as the T20 format is concerned.

“India under Gambhir values someone who can bat and bowl a bit as well, then you will be in. Sometimes I am not okay with this that all of this comes into Test cricket as well, which I am not agreeing with. In T20 cricket, if a batter who comes at 6 or 7 can give a bit of bowling as well, it lends a lot of balance to your team. Someone who can consistently finish innings for you at 5, 6, or 7, those should be valued and given a slightly longer rope.”

India will next play five T20Is in England. Ashwin reckoned that the wickets would be flat in England, as compared to Ireland and would suit the Indian team better. However, he added that England would have to keep the pitches slightly better if they want to beat the Men in Blue. He reflected that the Indian batters would dominate on true surfaces but highlighted certain concerns about the bowling line-up.

“It all depends on the conditions in England. They do give flat wickets. But if England want to win, they have to leave some life on the pitch. On pitches of true nature, the Indian batting will dominate. India’s bowling is a slight concern. I feel there is a lack of spin in this T20 line-up, which could work against India. But I see the batting really coming through.”

Having suffered a shocking defeat in Ireland, the upcoming England series would be equally crucial for India and head coach Gautam Gambhir.