Gautam Gambhir hints at Sarfaraz Khan’s exclusion ahead of 2nd Test match in Pune

Indian cricket coach Gautam Gambhir has more or less confirmed that KL Rahul is set to play the Pune Test. It will be a sad blow for Sarfaraz Khan as the 27-year-old scored a brilliant century in Bengaluru against New Zealand. The 43-year-old made a huge comment while addressing the media ahead of the game on Thursday. 

Gautam Gambhir said “Let me get one thing clear, social media doesn't decide the playing XI. It doesn't matter what SM or experts think, it matters what the management thinks. KL had a decent knock in a tough Kanpur pitch. Yes, he would want to score big runs. And this team management is looking to back him"

When asked about the fitness of Shubman Gill, India’s coach said “He was injured in the last game. He has been in great touch. We have not decided the playing XI”. Shubman Gill was injured just 24-hours before the Bengaluru Test. This prompted Virat Kohli to bat number 3 and give Sarfaraz Khan a chance to bat at number 4. 

Former Indian batter slams Gambhir and Rohit Sharma 

Manoj Tiwary claimed that Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir were clueless during the Bengaluru Test. The 39-year-old was speaking to CRICBUZZ on their YouTube channel when the made the comments. 

The former Indian batter star said “Sometimes I don't understand the decisions. Common sense seems to be lacking. What the coach or captain is trying to prove, is beyond my understanding. I feel like, whenever there is a new coach or new captain, they try to prove something, and take such decisions” 

"I knew that one of the spinners would be under-bowled, but I never imagined that it would be Ashwin. He has over 500 Test wickets. When you are defending 107, why didn't you bring him in the attack alongside Jasprit Bumrah?" further opined Manoj Tiwary. 

While taking aim at Gautam Gambhir, the former India player said “Good captains also make mistakes, because a lot of things go through your mind. Here, the role of the coach to give constant guidance is very important, but I don't know why that did not happen”