Kuldeep Yadav Deserves Edgbaston Spot Over Shardul Thakur, Says Gautam Gambhir
Kuldeep Yadav may have an off day, but he still offers a far better chance of making a significant impact with the ball than Shardul Thakur. Kuldeep Yadav’s Journey: From Breakthrough Debut to England Test Series Hopeful Kuldeep Yadav made an unforgettable entrance into Test cricket in March 2017 at Dharamsala, breaking open the final Test of a four-match series against Australia. With Australia at 144 for one, the left-arm wrist-spinner bowled a flipper—advice gifted by Shane Warne during a pre-match meeting arranged by then coach Anil Kumble—that edged David Warner to slip, caught by stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane. This breakthrough triggered a collapse that saw Kuldeep take four for 68, helping India bowl Australia out for 300 on day one and set the tone for an eight-wicket series-clinching victory. Despite this promising start, Kuldeep Yadav played only four more Tests in the next 22 months before making a significant mark in Sydney in January 2019. There, he took his maiden overseas five-wicket haul—five for 99—forcing Australia to follow on and helping India secure a historic series win Down Under. Coach Ravi Shastri declared Kuldeep India’s primary overseas spinner going forward. Yet, over the following two and a half years, Kuldeep featured in just one Test, against England in Chennai in 2021. His fortunes changed with new leadership under Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid. Early last year, Kuldeep shone in England, taking 19 wickets in four Tests, playing a pivotal role in India’s 4-1 series comeback after losing the opener. A subsequent surgery for a sports hernia sidelined him briefly, but he made a strong return at the Champions Trophy in Dubai, sharing spin duties with Varun Chakravarthy, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel. With R Ashwin’s retirement from Test cricket, Kuldeep is now a key part of India’s spin arsenal and expected to be a crucial member of the squad for the upcoming five-Test series in England, alongside all-rounder Jadeja and ahead of Washington Sundar in the pecking order. India’s gamble at Headingley backfired There was a strong case for Kuldeep Yadav to feature at Headingley, especially on a dry pitch expected to deteriorate under the harsh June sun. However, India opted to strengthen their batting by selecting all-rounder Shardul Thakur instead—a decision that backfired. Batting at No. 8, Thakur looked careless, playing risky shots and scoring just 5 runs before being caught behind. With the ball, he delivered only six overs out of England’s 100.4 in the first innings, and though he took two wickets on day five, his overall contribution with both bat and ball fell short of expectations. While Gautam Gambhir dismissed criticisms of Thakur’s batting as unfair, most would disagree. As speculation grows that Jasprit Bumrah might miss the upcoming Edgbaston Test, the need to bring Kuldeep back into the XI becomes even more urgent. With Ravindra Jadeja batting at No. 7, the slight batting cushion Thakur offers is outweighed by Kuldeep’s superior bowling prowess—he has taken a wicket every 6.1 overs in 13 Tests. Though Kuldeep Yadav might occasionally have an off day, his bowling average of 22.16 far outshines Thakur’s 29.36, while their batting averages (13.26 for Kuldeep and 17.68 for Thakur) are both modest. Ultimately, team selection should prioritize impact and skill with the ball over mere hope—making Kuldeep the more sensible choice for India’s bowling attack. Sign Up Fast For E2Bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration!
Gautam Gambhir Criticized for Rishabh Pant’s Dismissal at 134: “What Was the Tone of the Message Sent?”
Dinesh Karthik questioned Gautam Gambhir’s decision, suggesting he may have sent the wrong message to Rishabh Pant that contributed to his dismissal. Rishabh Pant’s Century Thrills Headingley but Raises Coaching Questions Rishabh Pant captivated the crowd at Headingley with a stunning century against England in the first Test of the series on Saturday. The left-handed batter celebrated his milestone with a memorable somersault, delighting the packed stadium in Leeds. With this innings, Pant surpassed MS Dhoni to become the Indian wicketkeeper-batter with the most Test centuries. However, his innings ended at 134 when Josh Tongue dismissed him following a rare lapse in judgment. Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik, commentating for Sky Sports, raised concerns about head coach Gautam Gambhir’s possible influence on Pant’s approach during the innings. Karthik suggested that after the wickets of Shubman Gill and Karun Nair, Pant may have been instructed to alter his natural, aggressive style. In the 108th over, Tongue delivered a late curving ball that trapped Pant lbw, hitting the middle and leg stump as Pant played no shot. Karthik commented, “When a message was sent out to Rishabh Pant, it curbed his style of play. He was carefree with his stroke making, but being told to calm down doesn’t work for certain players.” He added, “As a coach, it’s understandable to want to communicate with the batter, but how that message is delivered—the tone and language—matters a lot in bringing out the best in a player.” ‘Way with Rishabh Pant needs to be different’ Dinesh Karthik emphasized that Gautam Gambhir needs to adopt a different approach to get the best out of Rishabh Pant. “Maybe with Rishabh Pant, it needs to be a different way in which you get things done,” Karthik said. India squandered their advantage in the first session of Day 2, losing four wickets in the final half-hour. Shubman Gill (147), Karun Nair (0), Rishabh Pant (134), and Shardul Thakur (1) all fell as India were eventually bowled out for 471. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Gill, and Pant stood out with centuries, while England’s Josh Tongue and Ben Stokes each took four wickets, triggering India’s collapse of seven wickets for just 41 runs. Earlier, England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to bowl first at Headingley. Sign Up Fast For E2Bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration!
Gautam Gambhir Rejoins Indian Team Ahead of Leeds Test Despite Mother’s Ill Health
Gautam Gambhir Rejoins Indian Team in Leeds Ahead of First Test Against England. Gautam Gambhir, head coach of the Indian cricket team, rejoined the squad in Leeds on Wednesday, June 18, ahead of the first Test against England, set to begin on Friday, June 20. Gautam Gambhir had flown back to Delhi on June 11 after his mother was hospitalised, causing him to miss the team’s three-day warm-up match in Beckenham. Her condition has reportedly improved since. In Gautam Gambhir absence, assistant coaches Ryan ten Doeschate and Sitanshu Kotak, along with bowling coach Morne Morkel, oversaw the team’s preparations. They were supported by India A coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar and VVS Laxman, who was already in England with the A squad. The practice match in Beckenham was held behind closed doors. 🚨 Gautam Gambhir has rejoined Team India pic.twitter.com/blLv01MTnJ — RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) June 18, 2025 Gautam Gambhir: India Set for New Era as First Test Against England Begins in Leeds on Friday India will begin their five-match Test series against England on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds, stepping into a new phase of their red-ball journey. The tour presents a stern test for the visitors, especially in the challenging English conditions. The series marks the start of a new era following the retirements of senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Their absence leaves a leadership and experience void, now filled by a younger core led by Shubman Gill. This transition signals a fresh chapter in Indian Test cricket. The series will run through August 2025, with matches scheduled at some of England’s most iconic grounds: Edgbaston in Birmingham, Lord’s and The Oval in London, and Old Trafford in Manchester, in addition to the opener in Leeds. Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration
Gautam Gambhir is set to rejoin the Indian team in England on 17th June, despite his mother being hospitalized.
Gautam Gambhir hurried back to India from the United Kingdom. The head coach of the Indian Cricket Team, Gautam Gambhir, is now set to return to England just before the upcoming Test series. According to reports from the Times of India, he is expected to rejoin the squad on Tuesday, June 17th, as his mother’s health has been gradually improving. Gautam Gambhir sudden return to India was prompted by a family emergency his mother suffered a heart attack and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at a Delhi hospital. This led to speculation about when the head coach would be able to rejoin the team. Fortunately, in a positive update, it is confirmed that Gambhir will be back with the team ahead of the first Test against England, scheduled to start on June 20th at Headingley in Leeds. This news is a big boost for India, as Gautam Gambhir, who had traveled to England with the squad on June 5th, had been actively involved in practice sessions and working closely with the players to prepare them for the opening series of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27. During Gautam Gambhir absence, the intra-squad match between India and India A was managed by assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, and bowling coach Morne Morkel. The game was called off after three days, with players enjoying valuable time on the field. The England series will be important for Gautam Gambhir as a coach The upcoming Test series against England will be a crucial milestone for Gautam Gambhir’s coaching career. So far, Gambhir has struggled to establish himself as a successful Test coach, with the team enduring a home whitewash by New Zealand and a 3-1 defeat in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. With the recent retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, India will field a relatively inexperienced side. Shubman Gill will captain the team, supported by deputy Rishabh Pant. Both will be eager to make history by securing India’s first Test series win in England since 2007. Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration
Rohit Sharma persuades BCCI and Gautam Gambhir to reinstate T Dilip as the fielding coach.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reappointed T Dilip as the fielding coach of the Indian cricket team, granting him a one-year temporary extension. According to a report by Cricbuzz, ODI captain Rohit Sharma played a significant role in influencing this decision. Just last month, the BCCI had relieved three members of the support staff—assistant coach Abhishek Nayar, fielding coach T Dilip, and strength and conditioning coach Soham Desai—following India’s disappointing performance in the recent Test series against Australia. T Dilip previously served as fielding coach under former head coach Rahul Dravid. Although Dravid and his team stepped down after the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, the BCCI had extended Dilip’s contract beyond that period. Rohit Sharma Plays Key Role in T Dilip’s Reappointment as Fielding Coach According to reports, India’s ODI captain Rohit Sharma played a crucial role in convincing head coach Gautam Gambhir and the BCCI to reinstate T Dilip as the national team’s fielding coach. Rohit Sharma is said to have personally spoken with Gambhir and senior BCCI officials to push for Dilip’s return. Dilip, who shares a strong rapport with Sharma, was previously part of the Indian setup during their victorious T20 World Cup 2024 and Champions Trophy 2025 campaigns. The Hyderabad-based coach has been instrumental in shaping India’s fielding unit in recent years. Dilip is now set to rejoin the Indian team for the upcoming five-match Test series against England, which begins on June 20 and concludes in the first week of August. Initially, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate was expected to take over fielding responsibilities. However, with Dilip’s return, Doeschate will continue in his role as assistant coach. Rohit Sharma, Reports also suggest that the BCCI had explored the option of appointing a foreign fielding coach but failed to find a suitable candidate. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma recently announced his retirement from Test cricket. In his absence, Shubman Gill has been named India’s new Test captain, with Rishabh Pant appointed as the vice-captain in the red-ball format. Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration
Gautam Gambhir, Ajit Agarkar at Odds Over ‘Selection’ in Heated Team Debate: Report
India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, has sparked concern among some experts with his experiments in the team’s middle-order ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy. While India’s 3-0 ODI series sweep against England boosts confidence for the upcoming tournament, and with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli showing signs of a return to form, the Indian team management can feel relieved. However, certain aspects of the team still raise doubts for some experts, especially the lack of clarity regarding India’s middle-order. A report has suggested that Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar are at odds over the selection of Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant, leading to heated discussions within the team. Confusion in Team Management Over Wicketkeeper and Iyer’s Spot When India’s preliminary squad for the Champions Trophy was announced, Agarkar had labeled Rishabh Pant as the No. 1 wicketkeeper in the team. However, Pant did not play a single ODI against England. Following the series, head coach Gambhir stated that KL Rahul is India’s No. 1 wicketkeeper in ODIs. These conflicting statements from two key members of the management have raised questions. “Ultimately, it’s very difficult to talk about individuals, but all I can say is that if Pant is part of the squad, he will get an opportunity. But at the moment, KL is our number one wicketkeeper, and he’s delivered for us. When you have two wicketkeepers in the squad, you can’t play both with the kind of quality we’ve got. Hopefully, when Pant gets an opportunity, he’ll be ready for it,” Gambhir explained after the ODI series. Meanwhile, in the first ODI against England, the team had planned to keep Shreyas Iyer on the bench, giving Yashasvi Jaiswal a chance at the top. However, an injury to Virat Kohli forced Iyer to play at No. 3, where he scored a fiery half-century. Since then, Iyer has been a regular in the lineup for the remaining two matches. Yet, there seems to be some inconsistency in the management’s approach toward Iyer’s spot as well. In a conversation with the Times of India, former selector Devang Gandhi praised India’s coach Gautam Gambhir for successfully guiding the team through a period of transition. However, he also emphasized the need for more consistency in the middle-order selection. “Gambhir deserves credit for working with a team in transition. Under his guidance, India has regained dominance in ODIs, similar to the form they displayed from 2016-2019. What the selectors and Gambhir need to focus on now is maintaining consistency in the middle order,” Gandhi shared with TOI. “Back then, the batting was primarily driven by the top three – Rohit, Shikhar Dhawan, and Virat Kohli. The issue arose when the middle order wasn’t given enough time to settle in, leaving them uncertain of their roles. When the top order faltered in crucial matches, the rest of the batting line-up seemed clueless. Hopefully, that won’t happen this time. If they have identified Axar as the No. 5 batter, they must commit to giving him a consistent run in that role. Axar has performed well, but the management needs to decide if he can be a long-term solution who can anchor and dominate innings until the 2027 World Cup in South Africa,” Gandhi explained. Referring to the recent ODIs against England, Gandhi noted that India’s management promoted bowling all-rounder Axar Patel ahead of KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya for two of the three matches, a move that raised eyebrows. Gandhi also questioned the decision to bench Shreyas Iyer, even though it was not executed, stating it didn’t make sense. “The decision to bench Iyer at the start of the series was baffling, given that he has been outstanding in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Moreover, India has played very few ODIs since the World Cup,” Gandhi concluded. Welcome to E2Bet! Play exciting games and experience endless fun!
3 Reasons Why the BCCI Should Consider Replacing Gautam Gambhir as India’s Test Coach
Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as India’s Test coach has faced criticism due to his limited coaching experience, inconsistent team strategy, and lack of tangible results. His inability to foster a strong team dynamic and implement effective game plans has raised doubts about his suitability for the role. The BCCI may need to consider a change for better performance. Gautam Gambhir was appointed as Team India’s all-format head coach in July. The excitement and high expectations surrounding Gautam Gambhir’s appointment as the Indian cricket team’s head coach in July have largely dissipated. What remains are growing frustrations and calls for bold decisions, including demands for his removal as Test coach. Gambhir’s contract as India’s all-format coach is set to run until the 2027 ODI World Cup. However, if the team’s poor performance continues, it’s possible that he may either resign or be dismissed by the BCCI long before his contract expires. Taking over from Rahul Dravid, who led India to the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 title and secured runners-up finishes in the ICC WTC 2021-23 and ICC World Cup 2023, Gambhir has faced a rough start. Under his leadership, India has suffered a series of setbacks: an ODI loss to Sri Lanka, a home Test series defeat to New Zealand, and a struggling performance in the ongoing BGT 2024-25. After leading 1-0 in Perth, India lost in Adelaide and is now trailing in Brisbane, with little hope of a turnaround in Australia. With the WTC 2025 final seemingly out of reach, upcoming events like the Champions Trophy 2025 and the Test series in England could prove decisive in determining Gambhir’s future. For now, his tenure as Test coach remains under intense scrutiny. 3 Reasons why BCCI should sack Gautam Gambhir as India’s test coach: No prior experience of coaching red-ball cricket Gautam Gambhir was appointed as India’s head coach following his role in mentoring Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL 2024 title. However, it’s important to note that he served as the mentor, not the coach, with Gambhir having been a mentor in the IPL since 2022, including his stint with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), and never holding the coach’s role. More significantly, Gambhir has never coached a top-level team in red-ball cricket. Appointing him as an all-format coach based on his white-ball credentials was a risk, and this decision now appears to be backfiring for the Indian team. No accountability Since the start of the Adelaide Test, Gautam Gambhir has not once addressed the media. Instead, the Indian team has sent captain Rohit Sharma, assistant coaches Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate, along with fast bowling coach Morne Morkel, to the press conferences. Interestingly, even during India’s home Test series against New Zealand—where the team suffered a historic 3-0 whitewash—Gambhir was notably absent from the press room. Curiously, the most memorable remark from Gambhir’s press conference following the series loss to New Zealand was his sharp response to Ricky Ponting. Bizarre calls, strategies and decisions The fact that Washington Sundar, R. Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja each played just one Test in the first three matches of the BGT 2024-25 highlights the perplexing inconsistency in team selection under coach Gautam Gambhir. Adding to the confusion, some of captain Rohit Sharma’s decisions at the toss—likely influenced by Gambhir—have further questioned the coach’s ability to assess pitches and conditions in the longest format. Whether it was opting to bat first in overcast, damp conditions in Bengaluru against New Zealand or choosing to bowl first on the historically batting-friendly Gabba track, these choices have raised serious concerns about the team’s strategic planning. Welcome to E2Bet! Where exciting games and fun are guaranteed!
ভারতীয় কোচ গম্ভীর নির্বাচনের বিতর্ক নিয়ে মন্তব্য করেছেন: ‘মানুষ ভাবে তাকে বাদ দেওয়া হয়েছে, কিন্তু…’ কোহলি, রাহুল এবং পান্তের ফেরার পর
গৌতম গম্ভীর ভারতীয় ক্রিকেট দলের মধ্যে স্পষ্ট যোগাযোগের গুরুত্বের উপর জোর দিয়েছেন, বিশেষ করে খেলোয়াড় নির্বাচনের ক্ষেত্রে। তিনি বলেছিলেন যে তিনি এবং অধিনায়ক রোহিত শর্মা উভয়েই বাদ পড়ার সাথে সম্পর্কিত অনুভূতিগুলি বোঝেন এবং তাদের ফোকাস খেলোয়াড়দের বাদ দেওয়ার পরিবর্তে সেরা একাদশ নির্বাচনের দিকে। জিও সিনেমার সাথে একটি সাক্ষাত্কারের সময়, গম্ভীর ভারতীয় ক্রিকেটের মতো প্রতিযোগিতামূলক পরিবেশে নির্বাচন করার চ্যালেঞ্জ স্বীকার করেছেন, কিন্তু তিনি পুনর্ব্যক্ত করেছেন, “আমরা কাউকে বাদ দিই না; আমরা সেরা উপলব্ধ নির্বাচন করি।” তিনি বাংলাদেশের বিরুদ্ধে চলমান টেস্ট সিরিজে সরফরাজ খান এবং ধুরভ জুরেলের মতো তরুণ প্রতিভাদের অনুপস্থিতিকে সম্বোধন করেছেন, উল্লেখ করেছেন যে তাদের বাদ দেওয়া তাদের পারফরম্যান্সের প্রতিফলন নয় বরং সিনিয়র খেলোয়াড়দের ফিরে আসার উপর ভিত্তি করে একটি সিদ্ধান্ত। “বাইরে থেকে অনেক লোক ভাবতে পারে যে তাকে বাদ দেওয়া হয়েছে, তবে এটি কাউকে বাদ দেওয়ার বিষয়ে নয়। এটি দলের জন্য কাজ করার জন্য অন্য কাউকে বেছে নেওয়ার বিষয়ে। অন্য ব্যক্তি যদি দলের জন্য কাজটি করতে পারে তবে লোকেরা তাদের সুযোগের জন্য অপেক্ষা করার জন্য, কখনও কখনও আপনাকে অনেক বেশি সময় অপেক্ষা করতে হবে, একবার আপনি এটি দখল করতে প্রস্তুত থাকবেন। রাহুল দ্রাবিড়ের কাছ থেকে দায়িত্ব নেওয়ার পর থেকে, গম্ভীর শ্রীলঙ্কার বিরুদ্ধে টি-টোয়েন্টি সিরিজ জয় এবং বাংলাদেশের বিরুদ্ধে প্রথম টেস্টে দৃঢ় পারফরম্যান্স দিয়ে তার মেয়াদ শুরু করেছেন। ‘আপনি বাদ গেলে প্রান্তে বাস করেন…’ গম্ভীর দলের মধ্যে পরিষ্কার যোগাযোগের গুরুত্বের ওপর জোর দিয়েছেন, উল্লেখ করে যে তিনি, অধিনায়ক রোহিত শর্মা এবং প্রধান নির্বাচক অজিত আগারকার দলে অন্তর্ভুক্ত না হওয়ার মানসিক চাপ বুঝতে পারেন। “আমি আপনাদের নিশ্চিত করতে পারি যে আমরা সরল যোগাযোগ বজায় রাখব। কোচ, অধিনায়ক এবং নির্বাচকদের চেয়ারম্যানের মধ্যে সমন্বয় থাকা উচিত, মিশ্র বার্তা দেওয়ার পরিবর্তে। আমি জানি একজন খেলোয়াড় কতটা ভঙ্গুর অনুভব করতে পারে; যখন আপনার অবস্থান নিয়ে অনিশ্চয়তার মুখোমুখি হন বা বাদ পড়েন তখন আপনি একটি প্রান্তে বাঁচেন। এটি যে কোনো অ্যাথলেটের জন্য চ্যালেঞ্জিং। রোহিত এবং আমি এর মধ্য দিয়ে গিয়েছি, এবং নির্বাচক চেয়ারম্যানও। এমন মুহূর্তের অভিজ্ঞতা নিয়ে, আমরা খেলোয়াড়দের সঠিক বার্তা দেওয়ার মাধ্যমে সহায়তা করতে চাই।” আরো পড়ুন: