Pressure mounts on India seniors as Kumble sends brutal 'legacy players' advice to Gambhir: ‘Make those hard decisions’

[rollingstoned]

Pressure mounts on India seniors as Kumble sends brutal 'legacy players' advice to Gambhir: ‘Make those hard decisions’

Anil Kumble sent a brutal selection message to India head coach Gautam Gambhir, regarding the transitioning of ‘legacy players’.

India began their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign on a dominating note, sealing a six-wicket win against Bangladesh in Dubai on Thursday. Shubman Gill’s unbeaten ton and Mohammed Shami’s fifer proved to be the difference, taking away pressure from a team which has been facing criticism lately.

 

Anil Kumble had a brutal selection advice for Gautam Gambhir.

 

The match once again showed that time is slowly running out for India’s senior stars. Lately, the poor form of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli has been put under the spotlight. The veterans also made their Ranji Trophy returns recently, but failed to make an impact for their respective sides. Against Bangladesh, the pair failed to find their footing in the run-chase. Rohit managed 41 off 36 balls, clattering seven fours, and Kohli mustered 22 off 38 deliveries. Kohli’s knock in particular reminded fans that the RCB’s star is nowhere near his prime as he managed only a single four.

 

 

Anil Kumble's brutal advice to Gautam Gambhir

Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, former cricketer and India head coach Anil Kumble felt that Gambhir would need to make some ‘tough calls’ on the future of ‘the legacy players’ after the tournament. Due to the importance of the 2027 ODI World Cup, Kumble also felt that the ongoing tournament’s result would decide the future of senior players like Rohit, Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja and Shami.

“You could say this is a very important tournament for a coach who has to make those tough calls in terms of transitioning from the legacy players to the others. But that's the job of the coach, to make those hard decisions,” he said.

“This tournament could determine where those seniors would go, and where India would look at making those changes. Win or lose, you need these tough calls to be made at the earliest. You need to start looking ahead in white-ball cricket, especially at the 2027 World Cup.”

 

Kumble also had some advice for Gambhir, urging him to integrate some younger players into the playing XI, so that India are well-prepared for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

“In any World Cup, you're looking at building a squad that has played at least 20 or 25 matches together. That's when you understand the nuances of match situations, and who to rely on. Ideally, at the end of this tournament, you must start looking ahead to the next World Cup. Do the seniors make it there? Or do we give the opportunity to youngsters to take the team forward in the shorter formats and build a strong unit? These are questions Gambhir needs to address,” he said.

“He has a fresh, young team and plenty of players to choose and build from, so he needs to organically start preparing for the 2027 World Cup. In T20Is, he's done well. Suryakumar Yadav has been a great captain. The next World Cup is still two years from now, and the new set of players will need a consistent run of games playing with each other, to understand many things like the batting order, match situation, and tactics,” he added.

Kohli’s knock, in particular, was a pain to watch for Indian fans. The former skipper walked in to bat with India at 69/1, after the departure of Rohit. But his form was straightaway put in the scanner as he began with nine dot deliveries on the trot from Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Mehidy Hasan Miraz. The only boundary he got was an uncontrolled pull shot, and then he was finally removed when trying to cut Rishad Hossain and was caught at backward point, with India at 112/2.

 

Said it as politely as possible, including what he would've done himself.

[Gollum]

Imagine if Jaiswal plays his first WC in 2031, 9 years after his debut in international cricket. He'll be 30+ then. Sachin , Kohli had played 3 WCs each before they turned 30. 

 

In fact doubt he will get an ICC debut by the end of this decade, even in T20s he is not in the scheme of things despite having the best numbers in the world in limited opportunities. 

 

This will be the biggest injustice in sporting history, similar to Seles' career being cut short.

[rollingstoned]

2 minutes ago, Gollum said:

Imagine if Jaiswal plays his first WC in 2031, 9 years after his debut in international cricket. He'll be 30+ then. Sachin , Kohli had played 3 WCs each before they turned 30. 

 

In fact doubt he will get an ICC debut by the end of this decade, even in T20s he is not in the scheme of things despite having the best numbers in the world in limited opportunities. 

 

This will be the biggest injustice in sporting history, similar to Seles' career being cut short.

That wc 23 final loss *ed us good. It put a 5 yr delay to any transition and development plans just to burnish the legacy of some players. If we had not won the wc last year they would still be playing t20s.  

[Gollum]

We know Jaiswal is from humble origins, but is he also a Dalit @Lone Wolf?

 

Because that would make matters worse. This rotten society of ours will never allow the emergence of a Dalit celeb or superstar, especially if that person is also from lower class. Even in sports shows, there is a deliberate campaign to undermine Jaiswal and hype up Gill, Iyer, Kela etc. as next gen stars. 

[Gollum]

9 minutes ago, rollingstoned said:

That wc 23 final loss *ed us good. It put a 5 yr delay to any transition and development plans just to burnish the legacy of some players. If we had not won the wc last year they would still be playing t20s.  

Yes but even when they are forced to opt for younger blood they select trash like Gaikwad over Jaiswal. It must hurt them big time to see Jaiswal's early success in tests that too in marquee series, big spoiler in their plans. Anyway the first hint of failure and I see Jaiswal being sidelined permanently.

Edited February 21, 2025 by Gollum

[rollingstoned]

1 minute ago, Gollum said:

Yes but even when they want to opt for younger blood they select trash like like Gaikwad over Jaiswal. It must hurt them big time to see Jaiswal's early success in tests that too in marquee series, big spoiler in their plans. Anyway the first hint of failure and I see Jaiswal being sidelined permanently.

That is because they know he is competing for Hitman's spot, there is no chance gaekwad will ever replace Hitman. He is just a a placeholder.

[Lone Wolf]

4 minutes ago, Gollum said:

We know Jaiswal is from humble origins, but is he also a Dalit @Lone Wolf?

 

Because that would make matters worse. This rotten society of ours will never allow the emergence of a Dalit celeb or superstar, especially if that person is also from lower class. Even in sports shows, there is a deliberate campaign to undermine Jaiswal and hype up Gill, Iyer, Kela etc. as next gen stars. 

Jaiswal's are baniyas bro as per google.  So he is UC.

 

Rinku I guess was Dalit.

Jaiswal needs to hire better PR & have a good IPL.   

Gill is next captain so he will play all three formats.

Jaiswal will face stuff competition from someone like Abhishek in coming months in limited overs.

[Bigg Brother]

8 minutes ago, Gollum said:

We know Jaiswal is from humble origins, but is he also a Dalit @Lone Wolf?

 

Because that would make matters worse. This rotten society of ours will never allow the emergence of a Dalit celeb or superstar, especially if that person is also from lower class. Even in sports shows, there is a deliberate campaign to undermine Jaiswal and hype up Gill, Iyer, Kela etc. as next gen stars. 

He isn't Dalit. He got debut in test matches at right time. In ODIs he is just being held back for Kohli-Rohit, just like Pant wasn't backed for ODIs for 2017 CT and 2019 wc because you know who. 

[Suhaan]

Because of Rohit,Kohli we are also not able to see Sai as well

Jaiswal,Sai both should have been part of the XI by now considering next WC is in SA

Even the bowling too needs attention ,we have to make guys like Mayank, Umran,Tyagi,Simar,Yudhvir be in contention and fit to let us have options for those conditions

Parag is also a potential crucial part ,he too alongwith youngsters should be played more

[Gollum]

5 hours ago, Suhaan said:

Because of Rohit,Kohli we are also not able to see Sai as well

Jaiswal,Sai both should have been part of the XI by now considering next WC is in SA

Even the bowling too needs attention ,we have to make guys like Mayank, Umran,Tyagi,Simar,Yudhvir be in contention and fit to let us have options for those conditions

Parag is also a potential crucial part ,he too alongwith youngsters should be played more

Agarkar, Gambhir talked so much when they were out of the system. Both have turned out to be worse than MSK Prasad when it comes to execution. 

[putrevus]

So why Jaiswal not in scheme of things in t20s is beyond me. They should have played Jaiswal at number 4 in last world cup itself.

 

There is no rule that Jaiswal cannot play in middle order . Why is proven failure like KL Rahul in the team. Pant is already there so there was no need to get this bozo in the team. Same with Shreyas Iyer who is so loose at number 4.

 

He has no clue on how to build a odi innings .

 

Rohit and Kohli are not stopping any youngster.They were the backbone of Indian batting in 2023 .If they failed there was no youngster to pickup their slack.

 

 

 

[BacktoCricaddict]

Really don't see caste as a factor. It is simply that the two seniors are holding up spots. Selectors and TM either lack the guts or are hamstrung by upper mgmt.

[putrevus]

Seniors are not holding up any spot, they still are the most important batsmen in the team. It is periphery players who are riding coattails of seniors who are the problem.

 

 

They have not given these players any support thru out their odi careers.If they fail match is gone.2023 finals is prime example.

 

[BacktoCricaddict]

Just now, putrevus said:

Seniors are not holding up any spot, they still are the most important batsmen in the team. It is periphery players who are riding coattails of seniors who are the problem.

 

 

They have not given these players any support thru out their odi careers.If they fail match is gone.2023 finals is prime example.

 

 

OK, I correct myself: Seniors and their coat-tails, together, are holding up talented youngsters. 2023 is barely a blip in the rear-view mirror.

[putrevus]

2 minutes ago, BacktoCricaddict said:

 

OK, I correct myself: Seniors and their coat-tails, together, are holding up talented youngsters. 2023 is barely a blip in the rear-view mirror.

Kohli and Rohit still have place in the team as of today. They were never the problem nor they are problem today. You don't write them off based on 6 odis played in last two years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Lord]

5 minutes ago, putrevus said:

Seniors are not holding up any spot, they still are the most important batsmen in the team. It is periphery players who are riding coattails of seniors who are the problem.

 

 

They have not given these players any support thru out their odi careers.If they fail match is gone.2023 finals is prime example.

 

 

Disagree. They are occupying most important spots and failing continuosly. So called peripherals cant be asked to clean up their mess again and again. 

 

Let them bat down the order with guys like Jaiswal in top order, we will see same performances

[putrevus]

10 minutes ago, Lord said:

 

Disagree. They are occupying most important spots and failing continuosly. So called peripherals cant be asked to clean up their mess again and again. 

 

Let them bat down the order with guys like Jaiswal in top order, we will see same performances

What continous failures , they played 6 odis in last two years. What mess has anyone cleaned up for them. If they failed team was done.

 

Sachin got out at single digit score in finals, team was good enough to win that match overcoming his failure.He failed in 1996 Qfs too but team was able to win.

 

Name one match where team has picked up their slack thruout their careers. Kohli's gets out for 50 in finals and match is done which has been sorry state thruout their careers.

 

 

Edited February 21, 2025 by putrevus

[singhvivek141]

25 minutes ago, putrevus said:

Seniors are not holding up any spot, they still are the most important batsmen in the team. It is periphery players who are riding coattails of seniors who are the problem.

 

 

They have not given these players any support thru out their odi careers.If they fail match is gone.2023 finals is prime example.

 

Seniors are indeed holding up places.

 

No one lights in their first WC event, Kohli debuted in 2008-09 and he was avg performer in 2011 WC. Even in 2015 WC he didn't do anything spectacular.

 

Players has to debut alongside seniors who can guide them. Kohli & Rohit both were supported by seniors like Yuvraj, Gambhir, Sachin, Sehwag, Raina in their budding days.

[putrevus]

20 minutes ago, singhvivek141 said:

Seniors are indeed holding up places.

 

No one lights in their first WC event, Kohli debuted in 2008-09 and he was avg performer in 2011 WC. Even in 2015 WC he didn't do anything spectacular.

 

Players has to debut alongside seniors who can guide them. Kohli & Rohit both were supported by seniors like Yuvraj, Gambhir, Sachin, Sehwag, Raina in their budding days.

I disagree plus did Rohit and Kohli say they will not support any youngster in 15 years. It is their bad luck they never had any decent youngster.

 

Youngsters don't have to do anything specatcular, they have play some kind of role, Inzi played one innings in 1992, Symonds did in 2003.Kohli did in 2011 final picking up the slack and playing small but important role.

 

They again brought TTF failures like KL Rahul to support them. 

 

 

Edited February 21, 2025 by putrevus

[Lord]

29 minutes ago, putrevus said:

What continous failures , they played 6 odis in last two years. What mess has anyone cleaned up for them. If they failed team was done.

 

Sachin got out at single digit score in finals, team was good enough to win that match overcoming his failure.He failed in 1996 Qfs too but team was able to win.

 

Name one match where team has picked up their slack thruout their careers. Kohli's gets out for 50 in finals and match is done which has been sorry state thruout their careers.

 

 

 

We won 2011 exactly by kicking out seniors like Dravid Ganguly, youngsters had enough experience by the time WC came and hence were able to win us the game. We need to do the same now.