Gautam Gambhir criticises Ravi Shastri, Virat Kohli for experimenting too much before World Cup

Former Indian batsman Gautam Gambhir has criticised coach Ravi Shastri and captain Virat Kohli for not identifying a proper number 4 batsman leading into the World Cup. He also was not very happy with captain Kohli’s move of benching Ambati Rayudu after three mediocre innings against Australia at home.

“If you want a settled batting order in the World Cup, then the No. 4 has to be decided beforehand and he should be backed completely,” Gambhir said.

The left-hander felt that the management should have given Rayudu a longer rope and should have stuck with him much in the same way they trusted MS Dhoni and Shikhar Dhawan when they hit a rut in the recent past.

“You have backed others too. You backed MS Dhoni too last year and even Shikhar Dhawan. Ambati Rayudu averages nearly 50 in ODIs, he hasn’t done anything wrong. Failures are part and parcel of the game. You didn’t drop any other player after two or three failures,” said the former India opener.

Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri have advocated for a lucid batting order, but Gambhir wants a settled combination and believes that too much experimentation, chopping, and changing could lead to a lot of uncertainty in the squad.

“No. 4 should have been a settled position by now. Virat Kohli played the 2011 World Cup at No. 4. Whoever the team management decides to back should be backed to the hilt and they should stay patient with him. It is a very important slot and you can’t have a floater at No 4 because the No. 3 and No. 4 makes the core of your middle order,” he added.