Ravi Shastri Criticises Gambhir’s Team Selection Choices in SA Series

Former coach Ravi Shastri questioned Gautam Gambhir’s selection decisions during India’s Test series against South Africa.

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has strongly criticized current coach Gautam Gambhir’s team selection choices during the ongoing Test series against South Africa. Shastri expressed confusion over Gambhir’s preference for multiple all-rounders over specialist batsmen in the playing eleven.

The criticism focuses on India’s selection approach that has seen players like Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana gain prominence while specialist batters like Sarfaraz Khan receive limited opportunities. India currently trails 0-1 in the two-match series after losing the first Test in Kolkata.

Selection Decisions Questioned by Ravi Shastri

Shastri specifically questioned the batting order changes involving Washington Sundar, who batted at number three in the first Test but was demoted to number eight in the second match.

“Just doesn’t make sense. I don’t understand the thought process there. And when they look back at the series, some of the selections… I am still trying to fathom the thought process behind them,” Shastri said.

The former coach highlighted specific selection inconsistencies. “In Kolkata, one of the spinners (Sundar) bowled just one over. Ideally, you could have gone with another specialist batsman. Similarly, here, Washington batted at three in the last Test and could have easily batted at four here, now that you had a number three. He’s not a number eight; he’s far better than a number eight,” he added.

Gambhir’s selection philosophy marks a departure from his predecessors Shastri and Rahul Dravid, who typically fielded five specialist batsmen alongside five specialist bowlers. The current approach emphasizes all-rounders, with three spin-bowling all-rounders featured in the South Africa series.

India made several changes for the second Test in Guwahati, replacing injured captain Shubman Gill with Sai Sudharsan while maintaining their all-rounder-heavy lineup. The team faces potential historical significance as Gambhir could become the first Indian coach to lose a home Test series to South Africa in 15 years.