Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Jan 10: Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir has come under fire following consecutive test series defeats against New Zealand and Australia. Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has openly criticized Gambhir's tactics during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, stating that his approach was not up to par.

In a video shared on his X account, Kaif went on a detailed rant about the tactical errors made during the series. He called for Gambhir to provide clear explanations for several controversial decisions made during the Australia tour.

"The best coach is always the one who is tactically number 1," Kaif said. "The best coach always knows exactly which XI to pick in what conditions." He added that while Gambhir might not have had the time to address Virat Kohli's batting struggles, his tactical decisions should have been sharper.

Kaif raised questions about several decisions, including the exclusion of key players. "Why did Ravindra Jadeja not play the first test? Why was a legend like Ravichandran Ashwin left out? Gambhir should give an explanation!" he demanded.

The former cricketer also criticized the selection of players, questioning why Dhruv Jurel was picked over Sarfaraz Khan, who had scored a century, and why Harshit Rana was chosen instead of Prasidh Krishna, who is known to excel in Australian conditions.

Kaif further emphasized the need for accountability from Gambhir. "I watched his press conferences. I just want him to point out exactly where the mistakes were made," he said.

Gambhir, along with captain Rohit Sharma, is reportedly set to undergo a performance review by the BCCI in the coming days. The review is expected to address multiple issues, including Ashwin's mid-series retirement, team dynamics, and Kohli's prolonged poor form.