Sanjay Manjrekar Takes Aim at Gautam Gambhir Following India's Heavy T20 World Cup Loss
Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has launched a sharp critique of head coach Gautam Gambhir in the aftermath of India's crushing 76-run defeat to South Africa in their Super 8 opener of the T20 World Cup. The match, played in Ahmedabad, resulted in the heaviest loss ever for India in T20 World Cup history, severely damaging their net run rate and pushing the defending champions to the brink of elimination.
India's Tournament Hopes Hang in the Balance
Widely favored to become the first team to successfully defend a T20 World Cup title, the Suryakumar Yadav-led squad now faces must-win scenarios to remain alive in the competition. The defeat has placed immense pressure on the team, requiring not just victories but comprehensive performances to repair their net run rate.
Manjrekar Questions Tactical Decisions
Speaking on CNN-News18's Stump Mic, Manjrekar expressed strong reservations about several tactical choices made during the match. He particularly highlighted the controversial decision to promote Washington Sundar to the No. 5 batting position during India's unsuccessful chase of 188 runs after early wickets fell.
"Gautam Gambhir seems to have an all-in-one solution for everything too, Washington Sundar," Manjrekar stated, drawing an analogy to a traditional multi-purpose medicine. "If there's a batting problem, Washi. If there's a bowling problem, Washi. He was promoted up the order to No. 5 today, and then Rinku Singh and Hardik Pandya walked in at No. 7. It was just too much."
The selection of Sundar over vice-captain Axar Patel had already generated debate before the match, with team management describing it as a tactical decision. Manjrekar's comments suggest this move backfired significantly during the crucial encounter.
South Africa Exposes India's Technical Vulnerabilities
The match revealed significant weaknesses in India's batting lineup against variations in pace. South African bowler Lungi Ngidi troubled Indian batters with well-disguised slower deliveries, exposing what Manjrekar identified as a critical area requiring immediate attention.
"Forget fast bowling, focus on playing the slower balls," Manjrekar emphasized. "They are not able to handle slower balls or spinners. The captain is struggling the most against slower deliveries."
This technical deficiency proved costly as India failed to build partnerships during their chase, ultimately falling far short of the target.
Path Forward for India
India now turns its attention to a decisive clash against Zimbabwe, where victory is essential to keep semi-final hopes alive. The team must not only win but achieve a comprehensive result to offset the damage done to their net run rate in Ahmedabad.
The pressure on coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav has intensified significantly, with every selection and tactical decision now under intense scrutiny as India fights for tournament survival.
