‘Makes absolutely zero sense’: Former India pacer slams Gautam Gambhir-led team management

India head coach Gautam Gambhir, right, and captain Shubman Gill (PTI Photo) Former India and Karnataka fast bowler Dodda Ganesh criticized the Indian team management led by head coach Gautam Gambhir for resting KL Rahul during the third and final ODI against Afghanistan at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.Rahul, who featured in the first two matches of the three-match series, was left out of the playing eleven for the final ODI despite spending very little time in the middle. The wicketkeeper-batsman faced 19 balls in the series opener and remained unbeaten on 39 as India secured a seven-wicket win in the rain-curtailed match. He was then dismissed for a first-ball duck in the second ODI in Lucknow.With Rahul rested, Ishan Kishan took over the duties in Chennai. However, Kishan did not get a chance to bat as India comfortably chased Afghanistan’s total to seal the series 3-0.Questioning the logic of the decision, Ganesh turned to X to express his frustration.“KL Rahul didn’t need this rest. He only bowled 20 balls in the series. Makes absolutely no sense,” Ganesh wrote on X (formerly Twitter).However, India continued their dominant run in the series. Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna shone with a five-wicket haul to return with figures of 5-23 in nine overs as Afghanistan were bowled out for 218 in 44.2 overs despite captain Hashmatullah Shahidi scoring a fighting 102.Chasing 219, India made light work of the target through a commanding opening stand between Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal. The duo added 170 runs for the first wicket with Rohit scoring 79 before falling to Mohammad Nabi.Jaiswal went on to produce a brilliant unbeaten 110 off 86 balls, his second ODI century in just three innings. Shreyas Iyer provided support at the other end as India completed the chase in 128 balls to secure a nine-wicket victory.The result also gave India their first ODI series win under captain Shubman Gill, who led the field from the front with two direct hits during Afghanistan’s innings.