Rahane Questions Gambhir's Leadership After India's ODI Struggles | Quick Digest
Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane has critically assessed India's recent ODI performance and team management under head coach Gautam Gambhir. His comments follow India's historic home ODI series loss to New Zealand in January 2026, highlighting concerns over frequent team changes and lack of player clarity.
Ajinkya Rahane criticized India's team management for inconsistent ODI selections.
India suffered a historic 2-1 home ODI series defeat against New Zealand in January 2026.
Gautam Gambhir was appointed India's head coach in July 2024 for a three-year term.
Rahane emphasized the need for player security and clarity ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
India's ODI record under Gambhir has been mixed, despite Champions Trophy and Asia Cup wins.
Former Indian captain Ajinkya Rahane has openly questioned the team management led by head coach Gautam Gambhir following India's recent struggles in One Day International (ODI) cricket. His remarks come in the wake of India's historic 2-1 home series defeat against New Zealand in January 2026, marking the Black Caps' first-ever ODI series victory on Indian soil.
Rahane's primary concern revolves around the frequent changes made to the playing XI and the perceived lack of clarity and security for players within the squad. Speaking on Cricbuzz and in various media interactions, Rahane stressed that players require stability and a clear understanding of their roles, especially with the 2027 ODI World Cup on the horizon. He also criticized tactical decisions, such as Shubman Gill's captaincy regarding bowling changes in the New Zealand series decider.
Gautam Gambhir, who took over as India's head coach in July 2024, has had a mixed tenure so far. While he guided India to victory in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the Asia Cup 2025, the team has also faced significant setbacks in ODIs, losing bilateral series to Sri Lanka, Australia, and now New Zealand. This inconsistency has led to increased scrutiny on Gambhir's leadership, particularly after the recent home series loss to an inexperienced New Zealand side. Rahane's comments underscore a growing sentiment among former players and analysts regarding the need for a more settled approach in India's ODI setup.
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