Gautam Gambhir attacked by 1983 World Cup winner for publicly criticizing Kris Srikkanth following criticism from Harshit Rana
Former Indian team coach Balwinder Sandhu has slammed head coach Gautam Gambhir for reprimanding Kris Srikkanth for his remarks on Harshit Rana’s inclusion for the upcoming Australia tour. Sandhu said that while people may agree or disagree with Srikkanth, there was no need to make a public statement.
Srikkanth was not happy with Harshit Rana’s consistent selection in Indian teams. He said there could be favoritism given Harshit’s association with Gambhir at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2024. The fast bowler is one of the few players from both teams for the white-ball series in Australia.
After the West Indies Test series, Gambhir defended Rana against criticism from Kris Srikkanth. Gambhir called Srikkanth’s remarks “shameful”, saying that targeting a 23-year-old on social media is unfair and could affect his state of mind. He insisted that criticism focus on performances and not personal attacks.
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Balwinder Sandhu slams Gautam Gambhir for harsh remarks on Kris Srikkanth
In his column for Mid Day, Balwinder Sandhu said that former players may face trolls online, but they still have the right to express their views on the game they devoted themselves to.
“One can choose to agree or disagree, but there is no reason to reprimand him publicly. Yes, Srikkanth has his own flamboyant speaking style, just like his batting, and that is exactly what we love about him,” Sandhu wrote.
“It’s true that sometimes former players can go a little too far and get trolled on social media, but that doesn’t take away their right to talk about the game they served with so much passion,” he added.
Their views should be taken in mind – Balwinder Sandhu
Sandhu said that as head coach, Gambhir should focus on current challenges rather than publicly criticizing former players, noting that he was disappointed by Gambhir’s harsh response to Kris Srikkanth’s comments.
“Their views should be taken in the spirit in which they are presented – with respect and an open mind,” Sandhu continued.
“As a head coach, it is always wiser to focus on the battle at hand rather than opening too many fronts and losing sight of the main objective. I was really pained to read Gautam Gambhir publicly rebuking Srikkanth’s views and speaking harshly about a former player in the media.”
Harshit Rana made his international debut for India in the Test series in Australia during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. The Delhi-based bowler played in white-ball formats earlier this year. He has played a total of 10 matches across all formats.
Leadership is best demonstrated through calm focus and example – Balwinder Sandhu on Gautam Gambhir
Balwinder Sandhu urged head coach Gautam Gambhir to lead with dignity. He said true leadership comes from calm focus and leading by example, not public reaction.
“In the professional world of sports, once you take on the role of head coach, you represent not just yourself, but the entire cricketing fraternity. It is a position of responsibility and dignity, not personal ego. One must always learn from those who have held this role before and remember that leadership is best demonstrated through calmness and example, not through reaction,” Sandhu said.
The team, led by Gautam Gambhir, has performed well in limited-overs cricket, winning the Asia Cup and the Champions Trophy this year. However, India suffered back-to-back Test series defeats, including a home series against New Zealand.
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