‘I’ve never seen a more confused team management’: Former India cricketer hits out at coach Gautam Gambhir after 4-0 defeat

Gautam Gambhir questioned after 4-0 defeat to England (Image: AP) After India’s memorable 0-4 T20I series defeat to England, former India batsman Mohammed Kaif launched a scathing attack on the team management, questioning the conduct of young sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and senior batsman Sanju Samson.England completely outplayed India in the T20I leg of the white-ball tour, recording a dominant 4-0 series victory after losing the opening match. The defeat marked the first time India had lost four consecutive matches in a bilateral T20I series. After the overall triumph, England also replaced India as the number one T20I player in the latest ICC rankings. In response to the series, Kaif criticized the Indian team management and suggested that their decision had eroded the confidence of key players.“I have never seen a more confused management of the Indian cricket team. The treatment of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Sanju Samson was far from professional. One is a generational talent, the other a World Cup winner, they need to be trusted, not doubted in their minds,” Kaif wrote on X.After the opening T20I, Sanju Samson was replaced by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for the second T20I. However, in the fifth T20I, Samson returned to the playing XI, replacing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

England dominate the T20I series

The five-match series began with the opener at Chester-le-Street without a result due to persistent rain.England then took control in the second T20I in Manchester, chasing India’s 190/7 with four wickets in hand. The match was notable for 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who became India’s youngest ever T20I debutant, breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing record.The third T20I in Nottingham proved disastrous for India as they were amassed for just 76, their second lowest total in T20I history, giving England a crushing victory by 125 runs.The hosts continued their dominance in Bristol, chasing India down to 158/7 in just 13.5 overs to seal a one-sided nine-wicket win.England wrapped up the series in emphatic fashion at Southampton, where Jose Buttler’s 131 off 64 balls and Harry Brook’s unbeaten 95 took them to 257/3, the highest total India have conceded in T20I cricket. India replied with 201/8 with Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma scoring half-centuries, but the visitors were still 56 runs short.Both teams will now focus on the three-match ODI series starting on July 14.