Yograj Singh, the outspoken former Indian cricketer and father of Yuvraj Singh, has made a strong statement regarding Gautam Gambhir, the current head coach of the Indian cricket team. This comes in the wake of India's resounding 336-run victory over England at Edgbaston, Birmingham. The win, under the leadership of Shubman Gill, marked India's first-ever Test victory at the venue after 8 previous attempts.
Yograj Singh believes that Gautam Gambhir has been unfairly criticized, especially considering the team's growth and performance. He emphasized that Gambhir, along with Yuvraj Singh and Rahul Dravid, are contributing to Indian cricket because the sport has given them a lot. He stated that instead of criticizing Gambhir, he should be appreciated for giving back to the game.
Gambhir's coaching tenure began with scrutiny after India's less-than-stellar performance in red-ball cricket, including series losses against New Zealand and Australia. The pressure intensified after India's loss in the series opener against England in Leeds. However, the recent victory at Edgbaston has significantly eased the pressure.
Yograj highlighted that players should not be subjected to abuse or harsh criticism based on their performance. He said, "Nothing should be said about Gautam Gambhir. He is doing very well". He further added that even if the team loses the series, they should not be demoralized.
The Edgbaston Test saw India break several records. It was India's first Test win at Edgbaston. The 336-run victory is also India's largest Test win by runs, surpassing the previous best of 318 runs against the West Indies in 2019. Akash Deep recorded the best bowling figures for an Indian in England, with 10 wickets for 187 runs. Shubman Gill became the first Indian and Asian captain to win a Test at Edgbaston. He is also the youngest Indian captain to win a Test match overseas. Gill also broke Virat Kohli's record for most runs by an Indian captain in a Test, scoring 430 runs.
Yograj Singh also lauded Shubman Gill's performance and his leadership. He mentioned his conversation with Yuvraj, who serves as Gill's mentor, and how Yuvraj credited Gill's hard work for the success. Yograj expressed hope that India would win the series under Gill's captaincy.
In conclusion, Yograj Singh's statement underscores the importance of supporting and encouraging players and coaches, especially during challenging times. He believes that Gautam Gambhir is doing a commendable job and should not be unfairly criticized. With India's historic win at Edgbaston, the team has demonstrated its potential, and the focus should be on fostering a positive environment for continued growth and success.