Pakistani Experts Criticize Gill, Gambhir Tactics: 'Shan Masood Wali Captaincy'
Former Pakistani cricketers Basit Ali and Kamran Akmal have launched scathing criticism at Indian captain Shubman Gill and coach Gautam Gambhir following India's historic ODI series loss to New Zealand, with Basit notably comparing Gill's leadership to that of Pakistan's Shan Masood. Appearing on the show 'The Game Plan,' the duo dissected what they perceived as critical tactical errors that cost India the series, particularly focusing on bowling changes and batting order decisions.
Basit Ali was particularly blunt in his assessment: "Yeh to Shan Masood wali captaincy ki hai Gill ne (Gill has captained like Shan Masood)." He pointed to Gill's decision to bring on medium pacer Nitish Kumar Reddy before specialist spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja as a major misstep. "If Kuldeep had got a wicket after getting hit for a couple of sixes, it would have been a victory for him. But he was taken off after just three overs and brought back when the partnership had crossed 150 runs. The captain doesn't seem to have confidence in Kuldeep and Jadeja," Basit argued. He even suggested it was the "last match" for Jadeja in ODIs.
Kamran Akmal echoed these concerns, emphasizing that a captain must control the game proactively. "When you have got early wickets, you need to bring your specialist bowlers in the attack. If they had got another wicket at that stage, New Zealand wouldn't have scored more than 225-250 runs," Akmal stated. He also questioned the logic behind Harshit Rana bowling his full quota of 10 overs while Kuldeep and Jadeja bowled only six each, contrasting this with New Zealand spinner Jayden Lennox who completed his 10 overs economically.
The criticism extended to Gambhir's batting order management. Basit questioned why Gambhir, known for favoring left-right combinations in T20s, didn't utilize Ravindra Jadeja earlier against left-arm spinner Lennox. "Jadeja should have been sent ahead of Reddy. You have one left-hander. Utilise him properly," he insisted. Both analysts agreed that India made a premature leadership change, with Akmal drawing parallels to Pakistan's experience with Babar Azam: "This is the same mistake that Pakistan made when they made Babar Azam the captain in 2018."
While these critiques from across the border reflect the intense scrutiny following India's unexpected defeat, they also highlight genuine tactical debates about captaincy inexperience, bowling strategies, and optimal batting orders that the Indian team management will need to address as they regroup from this historic setback.
Basit Ali was particularly blunt in his assessment: "Yeh to Shan Masood wali captaincy ki hai Gill ne (Gill has captained like Shan Masood)." He pointed to Gill's decision to bring on medium pacer Nitish Kumar Reddy before specialist spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja as a major misstep. "If Kuldeep had got a wicket after getting hit for a couple of sixes, it would have been a victory for him. But he was taken off after just three overs and brought back when the partnership had crossed 150 runs. The captain doesn't seem to have confidence in Kuldeep and Jadeja," Basit argued. He even suggested it was the "last match" for Jadeja in ODIs.
Kamran Akmal echoed these concerns, emphasizing that a captain must control the game proactively. "When you have got early wickets, you need to bring your specialist bowlers in the attack. If they had got another wicket at that stage, New Zealand wouldn't have scored more than 225-250 runs," Akmal stated. He also questioned the logic behind Harshit Rana bowling his full quota of 10 overs while Kuldeep and Jadeja bowled only six each, contrasting this with New Zealand spinner Jayden Lennox who completed his 10 overs economically.
The criticism extended to Gambhir's batting order management. Basit questioned why Gambhir, known for favoring left-right combinations in T20s, didn't utilize Ravindra Jadeja earlier against left-arm spinner Lennox. "Jadeja should have been sent ahead of Reddy. You have one left-hander. Utilise him properly," he insisted. Both analysts agreed that India made a premature leadership change, with Akmal drawing parallels to Pakistan's experience with Babar Azam: "This is the same mistake that Pakistan made when they made Babar Azam the captain in 2018."
While these critiques from across the border reflect the intense scrutiny following India's unexpected defeat, they also highlight genuine tactical debates about captaincy inexperience, bowling strategies, and optimal batting orders that the Indian team management will need to address as they regroup from this historic setback.
Also Read | 'You have to train how you want to play': Glenn McGrath explains why Arshdeep Singh's wide yorkers work
You can see Arshdeep Singh's plan from a distance.
- all of which fell on yorker length or ended as low fulltoss.
After Wari, Arshdeep could not hit the wide-yorker radar. If you are not confident in hitting, you will throw and hit it more often.
Where is the batsman trying to hit you and which ball am I going to bowl. While India's batsmen were seen going deep into the crease and negotiating Lasith Malinga's yorkers, Sri Lanka came up with a wide yorker plan two days before the final in Dhaka. The line was practiced so diligently that in the final, both the fast bowlers bowled wide yorkers and gave only 15 runs in the last three overs. They say.
- all of which fell on yorker length or ended as low fulltoss.
After Wari, Arshdeep could not hit the wide-yorker radar. If you are not confident in hitting, you will throw and hit it more often.
Where is the batsman trying to hit you and which ball am I going to bowl. While India's batsmen were seen going deep into the crease and negotiating Lasith Malinga's yorkers, Sri Lanka came up with a wide yorker plan two days before the final in Dhaka. The line was practiced so diligently that in the final, both the fast bowlers bowled wide yorkers and gave only 15 runs in the last three overs. They say.
Also Read | 'India is under pressure from 1.5 billion people, they have already lost the final in Ahmedabad': Shoaib Akhtar on India facing home pressure against New Zealand
The last time India played a World Cup final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, it was in the 2023 ODI World Cup when the Rohit Sharma-led Indian team lost against Australia by six wickets.
The Yakumar Yadav-led Indian team will take on New Zealand in the final in Ahmedabad on Sunday, marking the fourth time that the two countries will face each other in a T20 World Cup match. Having won all three encounters against Australia, Mitchell Santner's New Zealand team will hope to defeat the defending champions and win their first World Cup title. It is believed that along with the pressure of '1.5 billion fans' on India, there will also be memories of the defeat in the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia on the same ground. If favorable for the spinners, the par score will be around 200 or 175. "New Zealand should win this World Cup," said Game on High.
Looks strong. t, which means that obviously our high performance program has to be very specific and has to cater to the population that we've got, "but obviously, the talent that comes out of t India is phenomenal. व is.
The Yakumar Yadav-led Indian team will take on New Zealand in the final in Ahmedabad on Sunday, marking the fourth time that the two countries will face each other in a T20 World Cup match. Having won all three encounters against Australia, Mitchell Santner's New Zealand team will hope to defeat the defending champions and win their first World Cup title. It is believed that along with the pressure of '1.5 billion fans' on India, there will also be memories of the defeat in the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia on the same ground. If favorable for the spinners, the par score will be around 200 or 175. "New Zealand should win this World Cup," said Game on High.
Looks strong. t, which means that obviously our high performance program has to be very specific and has to cater to the population that we've got, "but obviously, the talent that comes out of t India is phenomenal. व is.
Also Read | T20 World Cup: 'You can make a really strong argument that he is the best fast bowler ever' - praises Stuart Broad
Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah showed why he is considered among the best in the business with his decisive spell against England in the T20 World Cup semi-final on Thursday. Bumrah, who was in tremendous form, scored just ten runs in his last two overs, including six runs in the 18th over while chasing the target. iya.
It is said that he is the best fast bowler ever."
West Indies great Malcolm Marshall was 'miles better' than him. Depending on the article, how will you declare Bumrah as the 'best'? It’s the best I’ve ever seen live, that’s for sure,” Broad said.
Are.
It is said that he is the best fast bowler ever."
West Indies great Malcolm Marshall was 'miles better' than him. Depending on the article, how will you declare Bumrah as the 'best'? It’s the best I’ve ever seen live, that’s for sure,” Broad said.
Are.
Also Read | Dale Steyn praises Jasprit Bumrah's 16th and 18th overs: 'Take away his two overs, and England would have won the game by one over'
Jasprit Bumrah's 1-33 against England in the semi-final was worth gold for India as the co-hosts eventually managed to win by just seven runs. Rest assured, Bumrah's 16th and 18th overs helped the crowd find their voice again and laid the foundation for India to clinch the nailbiter. Let's demonstrate.
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Also Read | 'If I were India I would be coming into the tournament, a team I wouldn't want to play in the final...': Brad Haddin on New Zealand
With a 3-0 record against India in T20 World Cup history, New Zealand has been one team that has given a tough challenge to India in the T20 World Cup. has never lost a T20 World Cup match against India since the 2007 T20 World Cup. Former Rajasthan wicket-keeper batsman Brad Haddin believes that New Zealand is a team that India would not like to play in the final and the Kiwis are not afraid of India in home conditions. This can ruin the party on its home soil. It was in the Knockout Trophy, where the Kiwis won the title with a four-wicket win over India. Was deprived of the title. He sees New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner as the key player in the final. .
