Sai Sudharsan recently praised coach Gautam Gambhir for a motivating conversation about his place in the Test squad.
Sai said, “Gambhir sir told me, ‘You will play. You are one of the best players in the country. So, don’t worry about other things.’ The way he said that gave me confidence and freedom before the 2nd Test vs West Indies.”
Debate Over Selection Fairness
While encouragement like this can boost confidence, it also raises questions about fairness in team selection. Guaranteeing a spot to one player, regardless of performance, seems unfair to others waiting for their chance.
Ignored Talent in the Shadows
Players like Karun Nair and Abhimanyu Easwaran have worked hard for years yet received no such assurance. Karun was dropped after one poor series, and Easwaran still awaits his debut despite consistent domestic success.
Concerns Over Favouritism
Such actions create an impression that selection decisions favour personal preference over merit. With growing public backlash against Gautam Gambhir, it remains to be seen whether he changes his approach or continues on the same path.
