India vs Australia: Gautam Gambhir slams Virat Kohli’s ‘ poor captaincy’ during the 2nd ODI


India vs Australia: Gautam Gambhir slams Virat Kohli’s ‘ poor captaincy’ during the 2nd ODI

Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli

Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli
Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli

The Indian team suffered successive losses in the first two matches of the Australia tour after they lost the second ODI at the SCG. ‘Men in Blue’ fell 51 runs short of the target while chasing a mammoth total of 390. 

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Former India opener Gautam Gambhir slammed skipper Virat Kohli’s decisions during the second 50-over game against the Aussies. Calling it ‘poor captaincy’, Gambhir pointed out the ineffective use of India’s premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah.

“I can’t understand the captaincy, to be honest. We kept talking about how important it is to take wickets upfront if we have to stop this kind of batting line-up, and then you make your premier bowler bowl two overs. Normally, in a One Day game probably there are three spells of 4-3-3 overs. Or probably the maximum is four overs,” Gambhir said on ESPNCricinfo’s post-match show.

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“But if you stop your premier fast bowler just by bowling two overs upfront with the news, I can’t understand that kind of captaincy. I probably can’t even explain that captaincy. It is not T20 cricket. I probably can’t understand the reason to be honest because that was poor captaincy,” the 39-year old stated.

Could have played Washington Sundar or Shivam Dube 

Washington Sundar and Shivam Dube
Washington Sundar and Shivam Dube

The left-hander also talked about the possible candidates for India’s sixth bowling option. He reckoned that Virat Kohli’s men might have tried Washington Sundar or Shivam Dube if they were facing an issue with the sixth bowler.

“They could have given someone like Washington Sundar or Shivam Dube or whoever was there in the squad to play the next game and see how they go into the one-day format. But if you don’t have anyone in Australia then it is a selection error as well,” he added.

“Unless and until you don’t judge someone you will never be able to find how good he is at the international level. India has not taken those options to Australia, and those might come back to hurt them big time,” Gambhir signed off.

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