'Sab darr ke khel rahe hain': Ex-India cricketer questions players' trust in Gautam Gambhir

Mohammad Kaif questions Gautam Gambhir's Test setup. (Photo: BCCI)

Former India batsman Mohammed Kaif claimed that under the current Gautam Gambhir-led team administration, the Test batsmen's development at home has stopped due to uncertainty over playing slots.

On a deteriorating Eden Gardens pitch in Kolkata on Sunday, India batters put up a dismal performance against South Africa in the opening Test, which they ultimately lost by 30 runs. India decided against using a specialist batsman, Sai Sudharsan, at number three for the game in favor of four spinners, including two all-rounders, Washington Sundar and Axar Patel. Even though Sundar performed admirably and stoically in his new position, Kaif criticized the frequent rotation of batters in the starting lineup.

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On his YouTube channel, Kaif cited a lack of support for batters like Sarfaraz Khan, who has fallen off the national radar: “Whichever players are playing, they don’t have a feeling that someone is standing for them. Koi backing nahi hai, sab darr ke khel rahe hain. (There is no backing; everyone is playing with fear.) Sab darr ke khel rahe hain, koi khul ke nahi khel raha (Everyone is playing in fear, nobody is playing with freedom).”

“If Sarfaraz Khan’s place is not confirmed after 100 scoring a hundred. Even after scoring 100, he’s not able to make a comeback. Sai Sudharsan scored 87. He doesn’t play the next Test match. I think there is a lot of confusion in this team.”

According to Kaif, batters may become even more uneasy if the management choose to play on turning tracks since positions are being scrutinized.

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“Players ko apne pe belief kum ho gaya hai, thoda insecurity bhi aa gayi hai (Players are not believing in themselves, there is insecurity as well). When there is insecurity and you come to play at turning tracks, you won’t be able to do well,” he added.

Because of his upbringing in Tamil Nadu and his tendency to play on turners, Kaif said, Sundar was able to handle the conditions better than his teammates.

“Why did Sundar play well? He comes from Chennai. He has grown by playing on turning tracks. He knows how to use his feet and which balls to play with soft hands. How to keep the bottom hand.”

“Sai Sudharsan also comes from Chennai. If he were there at No. 3 and Sundar at No. 8, you would have won this Test match. He plays spin very well. Sudharsan comes from Chennai. He’s in form and scored 87. He’s not there in the playing XI,” Kaif added.