Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has spoken out in support of head coach Gautam Gambhir following India’s resounding 336-run victory against England in the second Test at Edgbaston. The victory brought India level in the five-match series at 1-1.
Irfan Pathan stated that Gambhir frequently receives unfair criticism, pointing out that no one, especially a captain, wants the team to lose.
He emphasised that England had also achieved 400 runs in the first innings, and that when India was at 400 and six wickets down, a key partnership with Washington Sundar changed the tempo.
“I believe Gautam Gambhir is unfairly targeted. Nobody wants the team to lose sitting there. He also wants them to win. He also wants to make decisions that will benefit the squad. England also scored 400 in their first innings. India was at 400 and had lost six wickets when Sundar put on a century-plus stand. If a similar collapse as in the first Test occurred there, the battle would be equal after the first innings. England lost out on that opportunity due to a large partnership. “England were almost out of the game,” Irfan stated on his YouTube channel.
“The decision to play Sundar worked in the batting. In bowling, he also took Ben Stokes’ wicket during a partnership. Everyone understands what he can do. “These small contributions are important in the game,” he said.
Irfan questioned the narrative that India was not focused on taking 20 wickets simply because Kuldeep Yadav was not part of the playing XI. He emphasised that a player’s impact cannot be judged until they actually get a chance to bowl or bat.
“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,” Irfan said.
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