Srikkanth Slams Gambhir Over Test Selection After India Collapse in Guwahati

Former India captain and ex-chairman of selectors Kris Srikkanth has criticised head coach Gautam Gambhir over what he called inconsistent selection decisions in India’s Test team. His remarks came after India conceded a 288-run deficit in the first innings of the Guwahati Test against South Africa.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth said he was not convinced by the team management’s explanations for the frequent chopping and changing of the Test XI.
“Every alternate match someone is making a debut… Gautam Gambhir can say whatever he wants, I don’t care,” he said. “I know what I’m talking about. You need consistency.”

India’s Test struggles continue after last year’s 0-3 home whitewash against New Zealand, followed by a defeat in the series opener in Kolkata. In Guwahati, South Africa dominated with the bat, posting 489, before dismissing India for 201 on a pitch favourable for batting.

Srikkanth flagged several selection calls under Gambhir, noting that 24 players have been used in Tests within a single year—compared to 41 players in seven years under former captain Virat Kohli.

He questioned the decision-making pattern, pointing out that Washington Sundar, who batted at No. 3 in the first Test, was pushed to No. 8 in Guwahati, while Sai Sudharsan, dropped earlier despite scoring 87 in his previous Test, returned to bat at No. 3.

India’s batting struggled again, with only Yashasvi Jaiswal (58) and Washington Sundar (48) crossing 25. Dhruv Jurel was dismissed for a duck, and Rishabh Pant gifted his wicket for 7.

Srikkanth Questions Nitish Reddy’s Selection

The former selector strongly criticised the decision to pick Nitish Kumar Reddy, who scored 10 and failed to make an impact.

“Who calls Nitish Reddy an all-rounder?” Srikkanth asked. “He hit a hundred at the MCG, but what after that? One swallow doesn’t make a summer. If he is an all-rounder, then I’m a great all-rounder.”

He argued that India needed a specialist batter like Sarfaraz Khan, especially with Shubman Gill unavailable due to a neck injury. He also questioned why Axar Patel was dropped after being recalled in the first Test.

As South Africa stretched their second-innings lead to nearly 400 runs by tea on Day 4, Srikkanth warned that India would need an exceptional batting effort to avoid a home series defeat.