Former India fast bowler Venkatesh Prasad has criticized head coach Gautam Gambhir after the team’s 408-run defeat to South Africa in Guwahati on Wednesday, November 26. Prasad said that the Indian team management is obsessed with having all-rounders in the playing eleven, terming the strategy as “completely mind-boggling”.
After winning the opening match in Kolkata, the reigning ICC World Test Champions outclassed the hosts in all three departments in the second Test. He finished the series 2-0 with another impressive performance in Guwahati. Chasing 549 runs, the Men in Blue were all out for 140 runs in 63.5 overs in the final innings.
All-rounder’s obsession completely spoils the mind – Venkatesh Prasad criticizes Gautam Gambhir
Venkatesh Prasad said that Gautam Gambhir’s passion for all-rounders has backfired. Prasad said India’s strategy, execution and body language have all been poor. He urged the team to reconsider the strategies before their next Test assignment.
“Really disappointed with the way India is progressing in Test cricket,” Prasad wrote on Twitter. “The all-rounder’s passion completely fades from the mind, especially when you don’t bowl to him.”
“Poor tactics, poor skills, poor body language and an unprecedented whitewash in two series at home. Hopefully this won’t end with Test matches nine months away and this negative attitude will change,” he said.
Really disappointed with the way India is performing in Test cricket. The all-rounder’s passion fades from the mind completely, especially when you don’t bowl to him.
Rank poor tactics, poor skills, poor body language and an unprecedented 2nd series whitewash at home. Hope you don’t get this…– Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) 26 November 2025
He does not play IPL but keeps scoring continuously – Venkatesh Prasad
India’s selection strategy in the playing eleven came under scrutiny, with all-rounders who were barely utilized with the ball. Nitish Kumar Reddy bowled only ten overs in two innings in Guwahati.
Without naming anyone directly, Prasad said that the selectors need to choose specialist players. He said that selection should be done on the basis of Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy performances rather than IPL form.
Prasad further said, “Experts need to be fed and players need to be selected on the basis of Ranji, Duleep Trophy in domestic cricket. One can choose 50 overs on the basis of IPL performance, but for Test cricket Ranji and Duleep Trophy should be the barometer.”
“Yash Rathore, Shubham Sharma, Baba Inderjeet, Smaran Ravichandran are names that most people might not have heard of because they don’t play IPL but are scoring runs consistently in domestic cricket.”
There is a need to nurture experts and there is a need to select players on the basis of Ranji, Duleep Trophy in domestic cricket. One can choose 50 overs based on IPL performance, but Ranji and Duleep Trophy should be the barometer for Test cricket.
Yash Rathore, Shubham Sharma, Baba Inderjeet,…– Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) 26 November 2025
Such arrogance cannot be acted upon in the interest of Indian cricket – Venkatesh Prasad
Venkatesh Prasad said that players with modest first-class average cannot be included in the Test team. Prasad expressed disappointment at the insistence on justifying a flawed selection over the past eighteen months and described it as detrimental to the interests of Indian cricket.
“Players below 40 FC average cannot be played in the Test team on the basis of IPL performances. Playing an all-rounder in Indian conditions because he can bat is not the right approach in Test cricket,” Prasad said.
“Test cricket needs experts. We all love Indian cricket and it is sad to see what has been happening for the last one and a half years to somehow justify this flawed strategy. Such arrogance cannot be acted upon in the interest of Indian cricket, it is really disappointing.”
Players with less than 40 FC average based on IPL performance cannot be played in the Test team.
In Indian conditions, playing an all-rounder just because he can bat is not the right approach in Test cricket. Test cricket needs experts. We all love Indian cricket and it is sad to see what is happening…– Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) 26 November 2025
Former Indian opener WV Raman agrees with Venkatesh Prasad on team selection. Reacting to Prasad’s social media post, Raman quipped that the former fast bowler had bowled “long spells” but continued to bowl the ball in the right areas, as he did during his playing days.
Raman wrote, “Long spell @VenkateshPrasad But as always, hitting the right areas….”
long mantra @VenkateshPrasad But as always, aiming in the right areas.. https://t.co/aV9ii1Ck2o
– WV Raman (@wvraman) 26 November 2025
Also read: Ruturaj Gaikwad’s T20 World Cup 2026 hopes rekindled after historic achievement
