Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has slammed head coach Gautam Gambhir for his “poor tactics” and “questionable selections” in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.On Sunday, after India pulled off a heist at Old Trafford, Gautam Gambhir said that Karun Nair was not dropped and that the team was picked based on the right combination.Gambhir’s blunt statement didn’t sit well with Manjrekar.“And to suggest that Karun Nair ‘wasn’t dropped’… come on. You guys see it as a drop; for them, it’s about ‘picking the right team.’ If someone is dropped, he is dropped,” Manjrekar said on JioHotstar.“I feel India has done well despite some of his (Gambhir’s) tactical decisions. Let’s not forget: India lost 3-0 at home to New Zealand and lost comfortably to Australia away. The fight we’ve seen in this team? That’s down to the players. Because tactically, Gambhir hasn’t always made things easier — especially with some of his selections,” he added.
Manjrekar also urged Gambhir to relax a bit, saying he always appears to be in a combative mood.“It’s not about ‘you guys think’ and ‘we think’ – we’re all part of the same industry and the same country. I’d just like to see him take a chill pill, relax a bit, and be open to tough questions. Whether that will happen, I’m not sure,” said Manjrekar.The fourth Test ended in a stalemate after centuries from skipper Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar saw India dominate the final day’s play at Old Trafford.The fifth and final Test will begin on July 31 at The Oval.
