IND vs SA: “There is no backing, everyone is playing with fear”- Mohammad Kaif rips apart Gautam Gambhir after Kolkata humiliation

India have lost four home tests since last one year under Gautam Gambhir.

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has lashed out at the Indian team management in particular Gautam Gambhir after the team’s loss in the first test against South Africa.  He feels that players are not getting enough backing and everyone is playing with fear.

The Indian side faced a poor 30-run defeat in the first test against South Africa at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The hosts had gone in with four all-rounders in the XI, leaving out Sai Sudharsan, who looked in great touch during the tests against the West Indies. 

Washington Sundar was asked to bat at three and he did a decent job but he underbowled in the game. The Indian batters struggled to get going against the spinners and went on to lose the first match by 30 runs, which came as a big shock to many. 

India failed to chase the target of 124 runs as South Africa’s Simon Harmer wreaked havoc across the Indian batting lineup. In both innings, he took four wickets each and helped his team win the match. 

Koi backing nahi hai, sab darr ke khel rahe hain – Mohammad Kaif

Mohammad Kaif didn’t shy away from lashing out at the Indian management. He said that players are having a feeling that no one is standing for them. He added that everyone seems to be in fear and nobody is playing with freedom. Speaking on his YouTube channel, he said: 

“Whichever players are playing, they don’t have a feeling that someone is standing for them. Koi backing nahi hai, sab darr ke khel rahe hain. (There is no backing; everyone is playing with fear.) Sab dar ke khel rahe hain, koi khul ke nahi khel raha (Everyone is playing in fear, nobody is playing with freedom).”

Mohammad Kaif pointed out how Sarfaraz Khan and Sai Sudharsan were dropped after performing. He concluded by saying that there is a lot of confusion in the team. He added:

“If Sarfaraz Khan’s place is not confirmed after 100 scoring a hundred. Even after scoring 100, he’s not able to make a comeback. Sai Sudharsan scored 87. He doesn’t play the next Test match. I think there is a lot of confusion in this team.”

The focus now turns towards the second test between India and South Africa, which will be played from November 22 at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati.

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