3 times Gautam Gambhir was critical of MS Dhoni

#2 Gambhir terms Dhoni’s rotation policy ‘crap’

MS Dhoni and Gautam Gambhir

In the interview with Lallantop, Gambhir also targetted Dhoni’s rotation policy during the CB series in Australia in 2012, describing it as ‘crap’. Dhoni, the then Indian skipper, had stated that it was not possible to play Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Gambhir in one team, and hence they would be rotated. As a result of the policy, Gambhir found himself out of the playing eleven in spite of recording consecutive 90s. Gambhir scored 308 runs in the series, second best for India after Virat Kohli (373).

Reflecting on the controversy, Gambhir said,

“I believe that one should follow the captain’s decision but it was complete crap. You started with the rotation policy but played all the three in the must-win games. If you make a decision, back your decision, stick to it.”

He also claimed that he was made to feel secure only once in his international career, which is very important for a player to succeed.

“I was made to feel secure just once. During that phase only, I became the ICC Test Player of the Year. India won the triangular series just once in Australia and I was the highest run-scorer. India won a Test series once in 40 years in New Zealand and I was the Man of the Series. I score five consecutive hundreds. This is why it is important to make young players feel secure,”

#3 Gambhir slams Dhoni’s ‘pick and choose’ policy

India v New Zealand - ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Semi-Final

The former cricketer has had his say on Dhoni’s retirement debate as well. According to Gambhir, Dhoni’s decision to pick and choose tournaments to play in is not the right one.

"I have always maintained this one thing. Retirement is an individual call, I think for me selectors should talk to him and ask him about his future plan. Ultimately for me, playing for India, you should not be picking and choosing series,"

Gambhir was quoted as saying in media reports.

Dhoni has not featured in a single international match for India’s since the team was knocked out in the semi-final of the World Cup by New Zealand. Dhoni scored 273 runs in eight innings, but came under the pump for his low strike rate of 87.78.