‘What was your coaching staff doing in Australia?’ - Gavaskar lambasts India

The Indian team’s painstaking 1-3 loss in the Border Gavaskar Trophy has started to draw serious ire from former Indian cricketers and experts worldwide. Unfiltered questions are being asked about the team’s poor batting. 

Sunil Gavaskar, the veteran Indian cricketer after whom the Border Gavaskar Trophy is named, didn’t hold back while criticising the coaches, especially the batting ones. 

“Aapke coaching staff kya kar rahe the? (What was your coaching staff doing in Australia?). Your bowling coach and your batting coach... your batting coach, in particular, against New Zealand when we were bowled for 46, and how we were defeated in the remaining matches,” Gavaskar lambasted to the broadcasters. 

“Batting main koi dum nahi tha (There was no punch in the batting). Here also our batting was not strong enough, so questions should be asked what have you guys done? Why can't we see any improvement?

I will also ask what have you (the India coaching staff) done. How do you plan to improve the Indian cricketers? Throw-downs will not get you anything. You had to improve their technique and temperament, which you haven't done. So make sure to ask questions from the batters who have not made runs, but also ask the coaching staff what they have done.”

Gavaskar also questioned why Indian cricketers don't play domestic cricket, especially the Ranji Trophy. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who both had a poor tour Down Under, didn’t even play in the Duleep Trophy before travelling to Australia, played by almost every top Indian red-ball cricketer. 

“On January 23, there is the next round of the Ranji Trophy. Let's see how many players from this squad play. There should be no excuse for being unable to play," Gavaskar told Star Sports. 

"If you do not play those matches, Gautam Gambhir will have to make a few tough decisions against those who are not available for the Ranji Trophy."