Srikkanth: Gambhir has no work against Sri Lanka, a bad side

Former India chief selector Kris Srikkanth has criticised head coach Gautam Gambhir, saying he has no work in the ongoing Test series against Sri Lanka because the opposition is a 'bad' side. Srikkanth also questioned Gambhir's decision to back Sai Sudharsan as India's long-term number three batter, while Devdutt Padikkal scored a century in the first Test after being recalled.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth said: 'Gambhir has no work. How can you replace Padikkal going forward with the 200+ runs he has scored in the first Test? Gambhir just says something, and anyway he has no work in the Sri Lankan series because Sri Lanka is a bad side and India will surely win.' He added that Gambhir was a good player and reader of the game but could be more communicative.

Sudharsan, who scored 383 runs in seven Tests, was ruled out of the series with a toe injury. Padikkal, who played his previous Test in November 2024, scored a century in the first Test and another in the second. India lead the two-match series 1-0.