Former India batter Subramaniam Badrinath has raised serious questions over Team India’s coaching decisions, criticizing both head coach Gautam Gambhir and the national selectors following the side’s disappointing run in T20I cricket. Badrinath expressed his concerns over Gambhir and his support staff skipping India’s upcoming T20I series against Zimbabwe and the Asian Games, while also taking aim at the team’s inconsistent handling of Sanju Samson and teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

India are scheduled to play a three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe from June 23 to June 26 before competing at the Asian Games in September. For both assignments, VVS Laxman will step in as head coach, assisted by Sunil Joshi and Hrishikesh Kanitkar. Gambhir and his regular coaching staff, meanwhile, are expected to return for the ODI series against England, which begins on July 14.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Badrinath questioned the need to rest Gambhir and his coaching staff once again, especially after they were away from national duties during the two-month IPL season. He argued that the current coaching group has overseen only the recent T20I series against Ireland and England, both of which ended in defeats for India.

ALSO READ: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Reveals Abhishek Sharma Arranged His Wimbledon Suit At the Last Minute

“Even Gautam Gambhir and his support staff are being rested for the Zimbabwe series with VVS Laxman taking charge. I don’t understand this, considering they just rested for two months during the IPL. They were at work only for the Ireland and England series,” S Badrinath said.

The former Tamil Nadu captain was equally critical of India’s selection strategy during the England T20I series. Sanju Samson, after a string of low scores against Ireland and England, was dropped in favour of 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. However, after the youngster also failed to register significant scores in his first three international outings, the management recalled Samson for the series finale while leaving Sooryavanshi out.

Badrinath believes the repeated changes have hurt both players’ confidence. According to him, neither Samson nor Sooryavanshi has been given a fair run to establish himself, creating uncertainty within the squad and making it difficult for players to perform freely.

ALSO READ: Sanjay Manjrekar Shares Who Should Be Sacked After India’s 0-4 T20I Loss

He also revealed that Sooryavanshi appeared emotionally affected after being dropped for the final T20I, describing the youngster as being “almost in tears.” Badrinath questioned why Samson has been included for the Asian Games but omitted from the Zimbabwe tour, calling the decision inconsistent. While Sooryavanshi has retained his place in India’s squad for the Zimbabwe series, Samson has once again been left out, ensuring the debate over India’s T20I selection policy continues.