Former India cricketer Kris Srikkanth was critical of the side's play under the guidance of Gautam Gambhir following their 2-1 ODI series defeat to Australia. He remarked that the team haven't been stable by any means under Gambhir, pointing out how their results have been largely extreme be it good or bad.
"India have been at the two extremes under Gambhir. The results have been either deadly or extremely horrible. That's why he shouldn't keep changing things hastily. It's important to keep the right combination. India luckily escaped in England, especially Virat Kohli and also Rohit Sharma," Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
Though India have won the Champions Trophy and Asia Cup under Gambhir, he has also underseen the humiliating Test series defeats to New Zealand and Australia. The team has now made an underwhelming start to their white-ball tour of Australia and have lost the ODI series.
India's forgettable display against Australia
The Men in Blue had made quite a poor start to the series and had lost the opening match at the Optus stadium by 7 wickets. Despite it being an encounter marred by rain, the Men in Blue only managed to post a total of 136/9 in 26 overs and the hosts easily chased down the mdest target with 29 deliveries left to spare. The second match didn't turn out to be much different for the visitors as the Baggy Greens chased down the 265-run target with two wickets left to spare and this win ensured that they sealed the three-match series.
However, India managed to end the series on a high as after a brilliant bowling display saw them bundle out the Aussies for 236 runs, a magnificent 168-run stand between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli carried them to the target. While Rohit played a sublime knock of 121, Virat remained unbeaten on 74, ensured that India avoided a series whitewash and win the match comprehensively by 9 wickets.
India's next ODI oppnent to be South Africa
Meanwhile, India will be hoping to pull off better results in their next ODI assignment that will be a three-match home series against South Africa and will commence from November 30. Both Rohit and Virat will be eyeing to perform well in this assignment as it will be the Men in Blue's final ODI series of the year.