Following India’s disappointing defeat against Australia in the World Test Championship final, the cricketing community has been engaged in discussions about the team’s performance. Among the voices expressing their views, former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir has raised some thought-provoking points about the prevalent issues in Indian cricket. Gambhir spoke about the prominence of individual players and their PR teams, which, according to him, has overshadowed the essence of team unity and hindered India’s success in ICC tournaments.
Gautam Gambhir, known for his straightforward opinions, emphasized that certain individual cricketers have been elevated above the team by their PR teams. Although he did not mention any names explicitly, speculation arose regarding players such as MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. Gambhir’s statement has sparked discussions among fans, who are attempting to decipher the individuals he was referring to.
During his conversation with News18, Gambhir highlighted the contributions of Yuvraj Singh to Indian cricket. He pointed out that while Yuvraj was a key player in India’s journey to the finals of the 2007 and 2011 World Cups, his efforts are often overlooked in discussions. Gambhir firmly believes that Yuvraj was the “man of the tournament” in both editions of the World Cup, yet his name is often excluded from the conversation. He attributed this oversight to marketing strategies and PR efforts that tend to focus on a select few individuals rather than recognizing the collective efforts of the team.
Gambhir drew comparisons to countries like England, Australia, and New Zealand, where the team is given precedence over individual players. He criticized the culture in Indian cricket, where individuals are often placed in the spotlight, overshadowing the significance of team unity and collective achievement. He attributed this obsession with individuals to the influence of PR firms and broadcasters, who prioritize highlighting specific players. Gambhir argued that this approach has contributed to India’s inability to secure an ICC title since 2013.
