New Delhi – In a recent episode of public disagreement within the Indian cricket fraternity, former pacer Balvinder Sandhu publicly admonished head coach Gautam Gambhir for his harsh comments directed at fellow cricketing legend Kris Srikkanth. The public rebuke stems from a controversy surrounding the selection of young fast bowler Harshit Rana for the ODI and T20I series against Australia.
The dispute began after Srikkanth questioned Rana's inclusion in the team, hinting at a potential conflict of interest due to Rana's association with Gambhir at the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Gambhir, in turn, fiercely defended Rana and launched a scathing media attack on Srikkanth, advising the 1983 World Cup winner to choose his words wisely when criticizing a young player. Gambhir was quoted as saying that it was "shameful" to target a 23-year-old just for YouTube views.
Reacting to the exchange, Sandhu, who coached Gambhir at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) during his under-19 days, expressed his disapproval of Gambhir's public conduct.
Sandhu's Statement
Pained by Public Rebuke: Sandhu stated he was "genuinely pained to read Gautam Gambhir publicly rebuking Srikkanth's views and speaking harshly about a former player in the media".
Focus on the Game: He reminded Gambhir to "stay focused on improving the team's performance and winning major tournaments," emphasizing that this is the best way to "silence unfair critics".
Respect for Former Players: Sandhu defended Srikkanth's right to speak about the game he served with passion, even if his style is flamboyant. He noted that former players' views should be taken "with respect and an open mind".
Part of the Job: The former pacer added that "every coach faces criticism — fair or unfair — during their tenure. It's part of the job".
The public disagreement has reignited discussions about the level of scrutiny and criticism former players and selectors should face, and the appropriate way for current coaching staff to respond to public commentary.
