Gautam Gambhir Takes Another Shot At Virat Kohli’s Captaincy

While Virat Kohli the batsman is an absolute master, Virat Kohli the captain is an apprentice: Gautam Gambhir

This is not the first time that the former IPL winning captain has criticised the RCB captain Virat Kohli for his tactics.

Photo: PTI

Known for his stir words, World cup winner Gautam Gambhir once again took a jibe at the RCB captain, Virat Kohli after his team lost their sixth consecutive game on Saturday against the Delhi Capitals.

“While Virat Kohli the batsman is an absolute master, Virat Kohli the captain is an apprentice. He has loads to learn. Rather than blaming the bowlers, he should take the blame on himself.”

Gautam Gambhir to <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ipl/top-stories/batsman-kohli-is-a-master-but-captain-kohli-an-apprentice-gautam-gambhir/articleshow/68760922.cms">TOI</a>

The 37-year old then went on to elaborate on the roots of RCB’s problems. "I would start with last year's auction where they messed up," he added. "Why did they go for Marcus Stoinis and Nathan Coulter-Nile if they knew these players were not available from the start?"

“At a small venue like the Chinnaswamy, where the wicket is flat, I would have gone with an out-and-out fast bowler.”

Gautam Gambhir

Gambhir then pointed the gun at Kohli’s decision making at crunch moments, one very recent case being the RCB-KKR game.

“Instead of getting Stoinis to bowl the remainder of Siraj’s over, he (Kohli) should have gone with Pawan Negi on a pitch where the ball was gripping. It is a no-brainer that (Andre) Russell likes pace on the ball.”

Gautam Gambhir

He further added, "That is when Virat the leader should have been in the ears of pacer Southee reminding him of his plans for Russell."

This is not the first time that the former IPL winning captain has criticised the RCB captain for his tactics. Gambhir has went on to question the franchise for sticking with him despite not tasting any success under him in the last six years.

"I don’t see him as a shrewd captain. He has been captaining RCB for the last seven to eight years and he has been very lucky and should be thanking the franchise that they stuck with him because not many captains have got such a long rope where they haven't won a tournament," added Gambhir.