"Completely lets go of players he doesn't like" - Former India opener's massive statement on Gautam Gambhir ahead of 2025 Asia Cup

Former India international Sadagopan Ramesh made some strong claims over India head coach Gautam Gambhir as the selection committee did not choose Shreyas Iyer for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 squad. Ramesh claimed that Gambhir backed only his personal favorite cricketers. The former international further believes that the 2-2 scoreline of the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy is overhyped.

After clinching the Champions Trophy 2025, Team India did not get any notable success under Gautam Gambhir's coaching. Before the 5-match England Test series, the Men in Blue brigade was brutally defeated by New Zealand and Australia. Against New Zealand, India lost by 0-3, and against Australia, the 1-3 margin was against India. Ramesh reflected on how India was dominating in away series when Virat Kohli was the captain and Ravi Shastri was the head coach.

"He backs the players he likes but completely lets go of those he doesn't. The drawn series in England looks like a great achievement only because we performed poorly in Test cricket over the past year. Because winning consistently abroad had started long back under Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri. But now, just the drawn series in England gets looked at as a big achievement in Gambhir's track record," the former opener opined on his YouTube channel.

'Gambhir not backing Iyer'

Ramesh couldn't digest the fact that BCCI snubbed Iyer from the Asia Cup squad. For dropping Iyer from the team, he slammed Gambhir without showing any mercy. The 30-year-old was India's best batter in the middle order in the Champions Trophy earlier this year by scoring 243 runs at an average of almost 49 in five games and helped India to win the title.

"Gambhir's actual biggest achievement remains the Champions Trophy triumph. Shreyas Iyer was the biggest reason for that result. Yet, Gambhir is not backing Shreyas Iyer. Someone like Jaiswal, who is an X-factor player, must play all the formats. Keeping him in the standby is a poor move," he added.