‘What you are doing is not right’ – Former World Cup winner blasts Gautam Gambhir for his treatment of KL Rahul

Former India skipper and World Cup winner Kris Srikkanth has slammed Gautam Gambhir over his treatment of KL Rahul. The 32-year-old has managed to score just 12 runs from the first two matches of the ongoing ODI series against England. Many former cricketers have questioned Gambhir’s decision to promote Axar Patel ahead of Rahul in the first two matches. 

Srikkanth, during his YouTube show, said, “Shreyas Iyer is in good form, which is a positive for India. But I feel for KL Rahul; it’s very unfortunate. Yes, Axar Patel is scoring 30s and 40s, but what they are doing with KL Rahul is not fair. Look at his record; he has excelled at No. 5, with a brilliant record. I don’t know what the team management is thinking regarding his position. If he bats at No. 6 or 7, he ends up scoring 6 or 7. It’s unfair."

India’s former skipper also said, “Hey, Gambhir, what you are doing is not right. Yes, depending on the situation, India can send Axar at No. 5, but it cannot be a consistent strategy. If you keep making such changes, you know what will happen? There will be a crucial match where everything falls apart.” 

“That’s what worries me. You can’t justify it by talking about the left-right combination. Does that mean you don’t care about a left-right combination in the top four? Why does it only matter at No. 5?” Srikkanth further noted. 

Kris Srikkanth wants team management to give Rishabh Pant chance to play

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar had named Rishabh Pant as the first-choice wicketkeeper when the ODI squad was announced. The 27-year-old though has warmed the benches in the opening two games of the series. Srikkanth, during his YouTube show, said that the team management should give Pant a chance if they want a keeper who can bat at number six. 

“I have no issue with Axar Patel; he is making the most of his chances. But if you’re pushing Rahul down the order, then play Rishabh Pant at No. 6. Why undermine Rahul’s confidence? Is it fair to a player who has performed brilliantly in world cricket?" said Srikkanth. 

The former India skipper also worried that Rahul might end up as a bench warmer during the upcoming Champions Trophy campaign. “Now, what you’ve done is you’ve sidelined Rishabh Pant as well. One of them has to play. I have a feeling Pant will feature in the third ODI and then in the Champions Trophy too. Rahul might end up warming the bench again. You should play your best player at No. 5, regardless of whether he is left-handed or right-handed.”