Former India chief selector Kris Srikkanth has made a scathing attack on head coach Gautam Gambhir and has clearly refused to call Shivam Dubey and Harshit Rana all-rounders. As preparations for the ICC ODI World Cup 2027 gain momentum, Srikkanth issued a stern warning to the Men in Blue.
Hardik Pandya is constantly facing injury problems, so the Indian team management has tried players like Shivam Dubey, Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy. However, Srikkanth believes that Hardik is still the only complete fast bowling all-rounder in the country. Earlier, Kris Srikkanth had called Gautam Gambhir a “fool” after Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s record-breaking half-century in Zimbabwe.
Kris Srikkanth takes brutal dig at Gautam Gambhir’s plans
Kris Srikkanth mercilessly mocked those who consider Shivam Dubey and Harshit Rana as all-rounders. He believes that Dubey and Rana should not be seen as genuine fast bowling all-rounders for the upcoming ICC ODI World Cup 2027. He even jokingly said that Nitish is a half-all-rounder.
“Players like Dubey and Harshit Rana cannot be called all-rounders. If these two are called that, then I can call myself a great all-rounder. Hardik Pandya is the only real all-rounder. Nitish Kumar Reddy is a half-all-rounder who can bat at No. 7 and also bowl a few overs,” Srikkanth said on Star Sports.
Virat Kohli is India’s biggest hope for 2027 World Cup: Kris Srikkanth
The 1983 World Cup winner also backed Virat Kohli to play a key role in India’s 2027 ICC ODI World Cup campaign. He praised Kohli’s experience, commitment and ability to motivate the team. He also gave credit to Kohli for RCB winning the IPL title twice in a row. Meanwhile, Kris Srikkanth questioned the absence of Ravindra Jadeja in India’s ODI plans.
The cricket pundit further explained, “The best thing about Virat Kohli is that he knows who he is. The management doesn’t need to tell him anything about how to do things and when to do them. He is a very committed cricketer. It is one person because of which RCB has won back-to-back titles, and that is Virat Kohli. It is his energy that binds the team and takes it forward. Similarly, if India has to win the 2027 World Cup, So the one person who can do this is Virat.” Kohli.”
Kris Srikkanth warns Gautam Gambhir on Rohit Sharma’s 2027 ODI World Cup future
Srikkanth has warned Gautam Gambhir and the Indian team management regarding Rohit Sharma’s 2027 ICC ODI World Cup future. While the management says no player’s place is guaranteed, the former chief selector believes Rohit should be part of the plans.
The former cricketer also picked Yashasvi Jaiswal as India’s first backup opener after his impressive ODI performances, adding that Rohit’s aggressive start and the young batsman’s form gives India a strong opening option if the selectors and team management think so.
Srikkanth further explained, “The management and Gautam Gambhir keep saying that no one is certain. So hopefully, if Rohit Sharma continues to prove himself and score runs, he should get a World Cup start. His fast starts are very important for India. Jaiswal has scored two centuries in his last three ODI innings. And he has scored centuries in all types of conditions. The guy is very capable and deserves the first right of refusal as India’s backup batsman.”
