The decision by India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir to rest KL Rahul in the third and final ODI against Afghanistan at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai has sparked outrage among cricket fans and former players alike. Former India and Karnataka fast bowler Dodda Ganesh has come out swinging, labelling the move as ‘absolutely makes zero sense’. Speaking to a media outlet, Ganesh expressed his disappointment with Gambhir and the team management, stating that Rahul’s absence from the starting lineup has left many questions unanswered.
Resting Rahul: A Move That Has Left Fans Baffled
KL Rahul, who has been in decent form in the series, was expected to play a crucial role in India’s bid to seal the series. However, Gambhir’s decision to rest him has left many scratching their heads. Ganesh believes that Rahul’s absence has weakened the Indian middle order, which has struggled to find consistency throughout the series. ‘When you have a player like KL Rahul, who has the ability to change the course of the game with his batting, you can’t afford to rest him,’ Ganesh said. ‘The decision to rest Rahul has made zero sense, and I’m not sure what Gambhir was thinking.’
Ganesh also questioned the logic behind resting Rahul when there are other players in the team who are not performing. ‘If you’re not going to play a player like Rahul, who has been in good form, why not give someone like Ishan Kishan a chance?’ he asked. ‘Ishan has the ability to score runs, and he’s been in good form in domestic cricket. Why not give him a chance to prove himself in the international arena?’
Ganesh’s Concerns: A Middle Order in Crisis
The Indian middle order has been a major concern throughout the series, and Gambhir’s decision to rest Rahul has only added to the woes. Ganesh believes that the team’s batting order is in shambles, and something needs to be done to address the issue. ‘The middle order has been a disaster throughout the series,’ he said. ‘We’ve seen players like Suryakumar Yadav and Shreyas Iyer struggle to find their footing, and it’s affecting the team’s overall performance.’
Ganesh also expressed concern about the lack of consistency in the team’s batting order. ‘When you have so many players who are not performing, it’s difficult to pick a consistent lineup,’ he said. ‘The team needs to work on their batting strategy and find a way to get the best out of their players.’
Gambhir’s Future in Doubt?
The controversy over Rahul’s resting has raised questions about Gambhir’s future as head coach of the Indian team. Ganesh believes that Gambhir’s decision has put his job in jeopardy. ‘If Gambhir can’t make the right decisions, then he shouldn’t be the coach,’ he said. ‘The team needs a leader who can make tough decisions and put the team first.’
Ganesh also believes that the team management needs to take a long, hard look at their strategy and make some changes. ‘The team needs to work on their batting strategy and find a way to get the best out of their players,’ he said. ‘They also need to work on their selection policy and make sure that they’re picking the right players for the right games.’
In the end, it will be up to the team management to decide whether Gambhir stays or goes. But one thing is certain – the controversy over Rahul’s resting has exposed the cracks in the team’s batting order, and something needs to be done to address the issue.
