Kolkata: Gautam Gambhir’s comeback may not have impressed the Indian team management, but the left-hander has received support from none other than former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly. Dropped from the playing XI for the Vishakapatnam Test, Gambhir has been included in Delhi Ranji Trophy side putting a question mark on his international career.
However, Ganguly has taken strong offence to the way, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain has been handled. According to a website, Ganguly wants captain Virat Kohli and coach Anil Kumble to have a word with the southpaw, who since his comeback has managed scores of 29, 50, 20 and 0.
“The Indian team needs to take a decision on Gautam Gambhir. If they think that he is the way forward, Kohli and Anil Kumble need to sit and tell him – listen we don’t want you to play keeping in mind just one test in mind. It’s just too much pressure on Gambhir and it’s not fair,” Ganguly was quoted. And he added that if Rohit Sharma and even KL Rahul who replaced Gambhir in the Vizag Test against England, could be given ample opportunities to prove their worth, Gambhir deserved the same.
“You have given a fair run to Rohit Sharma, you have given a fair run to Murali Vijay and KL Rahul. I think, if you pick Gautam Gambhir – for that case any batsman whether it’s Karun Nair in the future, we have to give him a fair go. If Gautam sticks to the scheme of things, you have to put your arm around Gambhir and say listen we are backing you, don’t feel the heat of every Test match. It’s not possible for anyone to play Test match by Test match,” the Prince of Calcutta added.
“We are the best in the world. I think it’s a decision that the team needs to make and if they feel Gambhir is the way forward just back him and say you just go out and play freely and without any pressure.”
Coming from Ganguly who himself faced a similar situation during the Greg Chappell era, one finds logic behind the latter’s opinion.