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Playing back-to-back IPL knockout matches for Gujarat Titans despite carrying a shoulder injury, and then being asked to feature in the one-off Test against Afghanistan, Mohammed Siraj isn’t the only Indian cricketer whose fitness has been stretched under head coach Gautam Gambhir.
According to sources, Nitish Kumar Reddy was not fully fit ahead of the third ODI against Afghanistan but was still asked to play, aggravating his injury.
The story, sources say, does not end there. Even Harshit Rana — considered one of Gambhir’s trusted fast bowlers— was on his way to get 100 per cent fit when he was picked for the ongoing T20I series. That decision led to another injury scare, leaving India’s bowling attack in England short on both experience and variety.
Those who are fit to play, like Hardik Pandya, have also reportedly been asked to meet strict fitness benchmarks. “Gambhir is making a special effort to keep Hardik away from the team and is not getting along with any of the senior players,” the source said.
Under Gambhir, players are said to be required to bowl at least 10 overs in a single spell before being declared fit for national selection again.
Following the manner in which Sanju Samson was first dropped from the playing XI and later omitted from the Zimbabwe series, there is said to be a growing trust deficit within the Indian dressing room.
When CricBlogger reached out to BCCI officials for their response, none were available for comment.
Sources also claim that Gambhir is making basic mistakes by chopping and changing the playing XI even when there is no need to do so. Sources said that he is running the team in a manner that leaves the captain with very little say in team matters.
With Gambhir currently enjoying considerable influence, sources believe that when the BCCI reviews the team’s disappointing performances, these concerns may not even figure in the discussions. They further claim that Gambhir’s ego is hurting the team, raising fears that things could go from bad to worse in the days ahead. Unless the issues are addressed sooner rather than later, India could be staring at a prolonged period of instability both on and off the field.
