Kolkata Knight Riders’ ex-captain and new mentor Gautam Gambhir can’t find his way out of headlines. The ex-cricketer has now made another statement that has attracted attention.
Speaking on Ravichandran Ashwin‘s podcast, Gambhir has stated that “creating hype” about young Indian players based on certain criteria such as bowling speeds can “backfire” and “deviate” them from hard effort.
In the meantime, Gambhir is also leading in the run to become team India’s new Head coach. He also added that selections for any T20Is should be done based on IPL performances.
Gambhir’s discontent with “hype” around Indian cricketers
Gautam Gambhir said team selection in T20Is should be based on IPL performances but not solely on batting averages or bowling speeds.
The KKR mentor further highlighted his displeasure at the “hype” around young cricketers. Gambhir might have indirectly mentioned Mayank Yadav, who has come through as the fastest Indian bowler of IPL, with 155.58 KPH speed.
“In India we start creating so much of hype with these young cricketers coming through,” Gambhir said on R Ashwin’s YouTube channel. “Everyone gets excited if someone is bowling 150 clicks. The point is you need to look at the conditions as well”
The ex-politician also mentioned that T20 cricket will not longer be affected by average and runs.
“Going forward in T20 cricket, the average and runs will have no impact. It is the strike rate, when you select a batter, and when you have to select a bowler, it is the kind of tough overs he can bowl. That will be the discussion that will happen in next two or three years.” Gambhir added.
Did Gambhir just point towards Mayank Yadav?
In the same podcast, Gambhir had talked about bowlers who bowled “150kph” more than once. This statement seemingly pointed towards young bowler Mayank Yadav, who has gone viral after bowling 155.58 kph in the IPL 2024 season.
“We keep talking about the amount of runs and averages, and all that stuff, someone bowling 150s. Sometimes when you go in conditions like West Indies or Bangladesh, you don’t need someone bowling 150. You need someone who bowls cutters as well. That is where the vision lies with the selectors. Sometimes you pick raw talent. But creating so much hype after two or three games, we need to have a balanced approach.” Gambhir said.
“The graph goes [up and down] in India, and it is not good for a young player. That is where the experts and commentators need to be balanced when it comes to these young players. It is easy for them to get deviated from the hard work and the good things they are doing. Because suddenly when you start talking about a young player doing well, it can backfire for them.” He added.
The podcast also mentions Gambhir’s thoughts on two new balls in ODI, which according to him is the worst thing in cricket.
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