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The recent Test series defeat against New Zealand has sparked debate within the Indian cricket fraternity, with the blame for the loss falling heavily on the shoulders of senior players. Former wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik believes that the senior players, who have enjoyed the benefits of success and adulation from fans during winning streaks, must now shoulder the responsibility for the team's shortcomings.
Karthik emphasized that while celebrating victories, it is essential to face criticism and accept accountability during defeats. He believes the senior players, who have experienced both the highs and lows of the game, should take responsibility for their performance and work towards improvement. While acknowledging the team's lackluster performance, Karthik also highlighted the need for self-reflection and a focus on improvement to ensure a brighter future for Indian Test cricket.
However, amidst the criticism, former batsman Sanjay Manjrekar came to the defense of new coach Gautam Gambhir, stating that he should not be held accountable for the team's performance. Manjrekar believes that the coach's influence is minimal compared to the players on the field, and the responsibility ultimately lies with the captain and players. He applauded Gambhir for his decision to select Washington Sundar, which proved to be a successful move, but questioned the captain Rohit Sharma's decision to send Sundar ahead of Sarfaraz Khan, arguing that it was a tactical error.
Manjrekar pointed out that Rohit's decision seemed influenced by a T20 approach of match-ups rather than considering the overall quality and ability of the players. He emphasized the importance of focusing on the talent and potential of players, rather than solely on left-hand, right-hand combinations. He also criticized Rohit's poor performance with the bat, highlighting the need for seasoned batsmen to step up and lead the team to victory.
Former India captain Anil Kumble also joined the discussion, emphasizing the importance of experience and match practice for Virat Kohli, who had opted out of domestic matches before the Test series. Kumble suggested that even a few innings in competitive match situations could have significantly benefitted Kohli's preparation, leading to improved performance in the Test matches.
Source: 'Onus of series loss is on...': Former cricketers defend Gautam Gambhir