"Highest level of favouritism": Fans slam Gautam Gambhir for strange calls in 2nd T20I

Internet reaction on Gautam Gambhir [Source: @academy_dinda/X.com]

Australia trashed India in the 2nd T20I held at Melbourne by sealing a comfortable 4-wicket win. The blame, however, fell on head coach Gautam Gambhir’s shoulders for his unconventional strategic calls.

Batting first, India’s half side walked back to the pavilion with 49 runs on the board. While Abhishek Sharma showed resistance with 68 off 37 balls, the team got bundled for 125 runs.

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Gautam Gambhir blamed for India’s T20I loss to Australia

Australia cruised in the chase and wrapped up the game in 13.2 overs to seal a 4-wicket win. That marked India’s first T20I loss at MCG in the last 17 years.

However, the blame for the loss was pinned on head coach Gautam Gambhir. Fans called him out for strange calls, such as promoting Harshit Rana over Shivam Dube in the batting order, dropping Arshdeep Singh and picking three spinners on a pace-friendly pitch.

Not only that, but Sanju Samson was promoted to no. 3 from his recent usual no. 5 spot. All these unconventional choices, according to many fans, disrupted the team's rhythm, leading to a humiliating loss.

"- No. 3 Expert Tilak Varma is batting at 5 - Arshdeep Singh isn't in Playing 11 - Yashasvi Jaiswal isn't even in squad - Sanju Samson is unnecessarily pushed at 3 - Harshit Rana is batting before Shivam Dube. Gautam Gambhir favourism is destroying Indian Cricket." - @SelflessCricket

Fan tweet [Source: @SelflessCricket/X.com]

"49 runs for 0 wicket in 4 overs on this pace friendly pitch, thanks to Bumrah & Gambhir's parchi Harshit Rana. Meanwhile, India's highest wicket taker at T2OIWC & all time highest wicket taker of India Arshdeep is warming bench. This is called highest level of favouritism!" - @Rajiv1841

Fan tweet [Source: @Rajiv1841/X.com]

"Lord Gambhir 🤦" - @CricTalk1

Fan tweet [Source: @CricTalk1/X.com]

"Played 3 spinners on this pacy and bouncy track of MCG. Gems of coach Gambhir 🤡" - @academy_dinda

"Aaj Pata Chala ki Harshit Rana is a better bowler than Arshdeep Singh and a better batsman than Shivam Dubey 🤦 Gautam Gambhir is destroying the Team to satisfy his Ego" - @imamanjaiswal

Fan tweets [Source: @academy_dinda, @imamanjaiswal/X.com]

After the first T20I was washed out due to rain, Australia sealed the second T20I and are leading 1-0 in the 5-game series.

The third T20I will be held on Sunday, November 2, at the Hobart Stadium.

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