India’s team selection is coming under severe criticism after its crushing defeat to South Africa in the Super 8 stage of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. Now, all eyes are on India head coach Gautam Gambhir and his strategy for their next Super 8 match against Zimbabwe.
Gautam Gambhir is being criticized for leaving out Axar Patel after India’s crushing defeat in Super 8.
Ahead of the IND-ZIM Super 8 clash on February 26 in Chennai, former Indian cricketer Subramaniam Badrinath has criticized Gautam Gambhir’s decision to drop Axar Patel from the playing XI. Patel had performed well in the first three matches of the tournament.
He took six wickets and restricted runs at an economy rate of 6.63. Nevertheless, he was left out of the big Super 8 match against South Africa in Ahmedabad. India went with Washington Sundar as South Africa had three left-handed batsmen in their top order.
Also read: Kuldeep Yadav officially out of India’s playing XI plan, coach gives clear verdict
The Indian team management felt that an off-spinner would be a better option, but the move backfired badly. Sundar bowled only two overs and could not take a wicket and India lost the match by 76 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Badrinath believes that such decisions should not be taken on the basis of numbers and statistics. The former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bowler believes that a coach should look at the current form, confidence, fitness and overall impact of the player. Criticizing Gambhir, Badrinath said that if selection is only about statistics and left-handed versus right-handed matchups, then an analyst can also do the job.
Subramaniam Badrinath criticizes Gautam Gambhir’s selection approach
“Looking at how many times a batsman has failed in multiple games is fine. But looking beyond these is what a coach should be doing at the highest level. To find out if a player is in form and fit, even if the numbers are against him, that’s why you are appointed as a coach,” Subramaniam Badrinath said in a video posted on his YouTube channel.
The commentator further added, “If it’s just numbers, even a Rs 50,000 analyst will do the job. If everything is just based on numbers then you can hire an analyst as a coach. You have been chosen as a coach because you have played at the highest level and you look at the extra things and don’t just give priority to the matchups. Matchups are just a form of information. It should only add to your strategy and should not be your entire strategy. This will never work in the game.”
Also read: After India’s defeat to South Africa, ‘angry’ Gautam Gambhir scolded Suryakumar Yadav and company.
Lakshmipathy Balaji says Gautam Gambhir’s matchup theory is hurting Indian bowlers
Meanwhile, Lakshmipathy Balaji feels that matchups are getting too much importance in modern cricket. He believes that these matchup principles cause bowlers to suffer the most, while batsmen often continue to get opportunities, even if they struggle against certain types of bowling.
Balaji said during the same discussion, “It should never be about matchups. It’s about personality and character. Matchups are definitely overrated, and Axar Patel has all the resources involved. He can bat in multiple positions. He is an exceptional fielder and a great thinker of the game, who can bowl at any phase of the game. Matchups should never be a consideration for such a value-added cricketer.”
