“It isn’t like he doesn’t know…,” Ashish Nehra criticizes Gautam Gambhir for playing Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in ODI series

Ashish Nehra criticized Gautam Gambhir for playing Kohli and Rohit in the Sri Lanka ODIs, suggesting younger players deserved a chance.

“It isn’t like he doesn’t know…,” Ashish Nehra criticizes Gautam Gambhir for playing Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in ODI series

Gautam Gambhir, Ashish Nehra, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma (Via X)

Gautam Gambhir, the former India opener, replaced Rahul Dravid as the head coach of Team India after they won the T20 World Cup 2024. Captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja also called it quits from T20I cricket.

A new breed of young players went to Zimbabwe for the T20I series and won it by a margin of 4-1. Then they registered a 3-0 win against Sri Lanka in the T20I series. Currently, India are part of a 3-match ODI series vs Sri Lanka.

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Former India fast bowler, Ashish Nehra questioned Gambhir about his decision to Kohli and Sharma to the ODI series against Sri Lanka. He felt that this series would have been a great chance to give other players chances. Nehra said that while Gambhir, a new coach, could like to spend time with seasoned players, their involvement wasn’t required as he knew Kohli and Sharma previously.

The next series India play is 2-3 months later, a rare thing for us. So for players like Rohit and Kohli…I feel there was a better chance of giving opportunities to other players during this series. I know Gambhir is a new coach, and he wants to spend some time with the experienced players, but it isn't like he doesn't know the two of them.
Ashish Nehra to Sony Sports Network

Earlier reports stated that Sharma and Kohli will be rested for the 3-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. However, Gambhir wanted them to be part of his first ODI series as head coach and so the two of them were included in the squad.

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India are trailing 1-0 in the ODI series against Sri Lanka with one match to play

India’s batting has faltered in the 3-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. While Sharma has scored runs in both the matches, Kohli has failed to put up any notable performance. Both the matches have been played on a slow turner and the Indian batters have faced issues while chasing the total.

"It isn't like he doesn't know the two of them" - Ashish Nehra criticised Gautam Gambhir for playing Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma (Via X)

The first match ended in a tie after India failed to score 1 run in 14 balls with one wicket in hand. Chasing a total of 231 runs in the first game, Sharma scored 58 runs from 47 balls. He was yet again aggressive at the start and went for his shots – exactly batting like the way he did in the ODI World Cup 2023. On the other hand, Kohli could manage just 24 runs off 32 balls.

In the second game, India failed to chase down a total of 241 runs. Sharma was sensational yet again with 64 runs off 44 balls. However, Kohli failed to play a big innings yet again after he returned for 14 runs off 19 balls. India need to win the final ODI to level the series and Kohli needs to stand up and score if India wants to win the final ODI of the series.

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