Gautam Gambhir termed Eoin Morgan's decision to remove Varun Chakravarthy from the attack after a fine over as the "weirdest" captaincy call he has ever seen.
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Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir has slammed the captaincy of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Eoin Morgan in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 league game against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Spinner Varun Chakravarthy accounted for two dismissals in his first over, accounting for the wickets of Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar. However, he was taken off the attack and did not get a chance to bowl before the 7th over. Gambhir was annoyed at this decision by the England skipper, which allowed Glenn Maxwell and AB de Villiers an opportunity to build a partnership without much pressure.
“Virat Kohli was a big wicket, no doubt about it. But that has to be the weirdest kind of captaincy I have ever seen in my life. Someone taking two wickets in the first over, and then does not get to bowl the next one,” said the former KKR captain while interacting on a Star Sports show after RCB’s innings.
“Probably when you know the in-form batter is in. You could have probably seen the game in the first six overs, had Varun Chakravarthy had picked the third wicket or dismissed Glenn Maxwell. This game could have been over there and then,” he added.
“Yes, AB de Villiers was there, but it would have put pressure on him as well,” stated Gambhir.
The former India opener further expressed his happiness on this “blunder” not being made by an Indian captain.
“I am happy that an Indian captain did not make this blunder. Because a lot of people would have actually got their daggers out had an Indian captain made this call. That was probably the most ridiculous captaincy I have ever seen,” said Gambhir.
“I can’t explain that. Because there is no terminology for it – when someone has taken two wickets, and an in-form batter is in and you take off your wicket-taking option in the next over,” he concluded.
Royal Challengers posted a total of 204/4 in 20 overs, on the back of a fine performance by De Villiers and Maxwell. The South African remained unbeaten on 76 runs off just 34 balls, with the Australian smashing 78 runs off 49 balls. Both batsmen hit nine boundaries and three sixes apiece during their knocks.
