Former India and Chennai Super Kings batter Subramaniam Badrinath has questioned Gautam Gambhir’s continued preference for multi-skilled players, suggesting that India’s search for more all-rounders may be influencing selection decisions even when players are carrying fitness concerns.

Badrinath believes Gambhir’s approach has so far failed to produce a genuine all-rounder capable of consistently filling the void created by Hardik Pandya. He also questioned whether India are going too far in their attempt to develop players who can contribute in both departments. India’s original 15-member squad for the Afghanistan T20I series included Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy.

All three players were initially subject to fitness clearance. However, speaking on his YouTube channel, Cric it with Badri, S Badrinath questioned the repeated selection of the trio. “All three come into the all-rounder category. In this, Sundar and Nitish are definite all-rounders. But with Harshit Rana, they are trying very hard to make him an all-rounder,” Badrinath said.

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He believes Gambhir’s desire to create a team filled with multi-dimensional cricketers could be playing a role in selection decisions. “Gautam Gambhir seems hell-bent on creating all-rounders and multidimensional cricketers. Because of that desperation, these three are constantly getting picked even when they are dealing with injury issues,” he added.

Badrinath further argued that India’s efforts to find the next Hardik Pandya have yet to deliver a proven option. “But they are not able to create the next proper all-rounder. There is no one after Hardik Pandya who is a proven all-rounder,” he said. “But they are desperately trying to create more. This desperation is the reason they are getting picked even though they don’t clear the fitness parameters,” Badrinath added.

His criticism became particularly relevant after Harshit Rana was ruled out of the Afghanistan T20Is and the Asian Games following a fresh rectus femoris strain suffered during a match simulation on September 7. Yash Thakur was subsequently named as his replacement, while Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar and Nitish Reddy were cleared to play.

Gambhir’s team-building philosophy has increasingly focused on extending India’s batting depth while providing multiple bowling options. Players capable of contributing in both departments have therefore gained importance, although the approach can sometimes leave specialist match-winners such as Kuldeep Yadav outside the playing XI. Washington has been used in flexible batting positions, while Nitish has been developed as a pace-bowling all-rounder.

Gautam Gambhir has also spoken about the importance of having seven or eight bowling options, making multi-skilled players central to his preferred balance. The Afghanistan squad reflects that philosophy, with Nitish, Washington, Shivam Dube and Axar Patel offering varying levels of batting and bowling ability. With Rana unavailable, however, one of the players at the centre of Badrinath’s criticism has been replaced by specialist pacer Yash Thakur.

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India will face Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series beginning in Delhi on September 13, followed by matches on September 15 and 17. Shreyas Iyer will captain the side, with Tilak Varma serving as vice-captain. Bumrah’s return also strengthens India’s bowling attack ahead of the series. The same core will then turn its attention towards the Asian Games in Japan, where India enter as defending champions. The men’s cricket competition begins with the quarter-finals on September 28, followed by the semi-finals on October 1 and the final on October 3.