Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed head coach of the Indian cricket team, is once again in the spotlight for seemingly contradicting his own stance on player selection. Not long ago, he passionately defended Ravi Bishnoi, the talented spinner who had earned accolades for his performance but now finds himself sidelined. This turn of events has sparked discussions on fairness and merit in the selection process, particularly in light of Gambhir’s earlier criticisms regarding player treatment.
Ravi Bishnoi: An Unjust Disregard
The cricketing community was abuzz with excitement when Ravi Bishnoi was named Player of the Series after an outstanding performance in the T20 series against Australia in December 2023. Over five matches, he claimed an impressive nine wickets, showcasing his skills and potential. However, this recognition did not translate into further opportunities when the Indian squad traveled to South Africa for a T20 series, where Bishnoi shockingly sat out every match despite his recent success. At that time, Gambhir expressed his frustration publicly at the selectors’ decision to overlook Bishnoi, emphasizing the inconsistency in team selection criteria.
Fast forward to the Sri Lanka T20 series, where Bishnoi once again proved his mettle, finishing as the highest wicket-taker. Gambhir’s journey from a supporter of Bishnoi to sidelining him for the first match against Bangladesh raises eyebrows and questions regarding his commitment to fair player treatment.
Repeated Patterns of Injustice
In just one year, Ravi Bishnoi has faced two instances of being overlooked despite his exemplary performances. Following the series against Australia, many anticipated that Bishnoi would continue to receive opportunities to build on his success. However, during the South Africa tour, he was inexplicably not included in the playing eleven, and this decision was criticized by none other than Gambhir himself, who had been vocal about the absurdity of dropping a player who had just been recognized for his contributions.
This trend continued as Gambhir opted to bench Bishnoi in favor of Varun Chakraborty—another talented bowler who plays for Kolkata Knight Riders—in the first match against Bangladesh. Fans and analysts alike are questioning how Gambhir can justify these decisions without undermining the very principles he previously stood for.
Gambhir’s Changing Stance on Coaching and Selection
Beyond player selection issues, Gautam Gambhir has also shown a shift in his philosophy regarding coaching. Previously, he was a staunch advocate for having an all-Indian coaching staff, consistently criticizing the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for employing foreign coaches. Yet, upon accepting the role of head coach himself, he took a different approach by incorporating foreign talent into his coaching team. This included hiring Ryan ten Doeschate as an assistant coach and Morne Morkel as the bowling coach, both of whom bring a wealth of international experience to the table.
These discrepancies between his past statements and current actions lead fans to wonder about the integrity of the selection process under his leadership. The cricket community hopes that as Gambhir moves forward, he will prioritize merit and provide equal opportunities to deserving players like Ravi Bishnoi to further enhance the competitiveness of the Indian cricket team.
