Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has defended head coach Gautam Gambhir following India’s huge 336-run win over England in the second Test at Edgbaston. With the victory, India levelled the five-match series 1-1 and bounced back strongly after losing the first Test at Headingley.
Notably, Gambhir’s team selection came under fire before the match. Jasprit Bumrah was rested and Kuldeep Yadav was left out as India decided to add extra batting depth by picking Washington Sundar, mainly for his all-round ability. Many questioned whether India could take 20 wickets on a flat pitch. But the gamble paid off. India not only managed to dismiss England twice, they dominated the game thoroughly, earning their biggest win in an away Test in terms of runs.
Prior to the win, much of the conversation remained focused on the team selection and Gautam Gambhir's role in those calls. However, the massive victory silenced many critics, especially after Sundar contributed with both bat and ball by scoring 42 runs in the first innings and taking the crucial wicket of Ben Stokes in the second innings.
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Irfan Pathan Stands by Gautam Gambhir After India’s Big Win Over England at Edgbaston
Pathan, speaking on his YouTube channel, said people are too harsh to judge Gambhir, forgetting that he wants the team to succeed just as much as anyone else.
"I feel Gautam Gambhir gets hate unnecessarily. No one wants the team to lose sitting there. He also wants them to win. He also wants to make decisions that benefit the team. England also made 400 in the first innings. India were at 400 and had lost six wickets and then came a 100 plus stand involving Sundar. If a similar collapse to the first Test had happened there, then it would be a leveled battle after the first innings. That opportunity was taken from England because of a big partnership. England were almost out of the game," Pathan said as quoted on his YouTube Channel.
Pathan added that many had already made up their minds about the team selection even before the match began. He felt it was unfair to label the inclusion of Sundar as a negative just because Kuldeep was left out.
"It was being said that India is not thinking about 20 wickets because Kuldeep is not playing. How did you decide it? I had posted on X that I don't think Washington playing is a negative. It is positive. Till he doesn't bowl or bat you don't know. Till the whole team doesn't bowl, how come they don't have the ability to pick 20 wickets? They do and it is seen. You make your mind before itself, there were several questions before itself," he added.
Sundar did not just contribute with the bat. His bowling proved useful as well. Pathan pointed out how the off-spinner dismissed Stokes at a crucial time when England were trying to draw the Test.
"The move to play Sundar worked in the batting. In bowling as well he took the important wicket of Ben Stokes when a partnership was going on. Everyone knows what he can do. These small contributions are important in the game," Pathan opined.
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Gautam Gambhir’s Plans for Third Test
After the convincing win at Edgbaston, Gautam Gambhir will aim to keep the momentum going. He will want the team to stay positive, back their plans and show the same intent that brought them success in the second Test.
Bumrah will return and will most likely replace Prasidh Krishna. As India’s batters delivered in the second Test, it also remains to be seen if they would want to attack more with their bowling and include Kuldeep in place of Sundar.
