Why did Gambhir attack Srikanth?

What started as a simple critique has turned into a full-blown cricketing civil war.

When former India captain Krishnamachari Srikanth questioned the selection of Harshit Rana for the Australia ODI series, he didn’t expect a nuclear response from head coach Gautam Gambhir.

That one sentence ignited a firestorm, pulling in Ravichandran Ashwin, Balwinder Sandhu, and even Aniruddha Srikanth and now, fans are asking:

“When will this end?”

Let’s break down the drama that’s dividing legends and why it’s hurting Indian cricket more than helping it.

🔥 The Spark: Srikanth Questions Harshit Rana’s Selection

 

Srikanth, known for his bold takes on his popular YouTube channel, said:

“Why is Harshit Rana getting picked? He hasn’t played enough first-class cricket. This feels like a Gambhir recommendation, not a merit-based pick.”

Fair point? Maybe.
But Gambhir didn’t see it that way.

He fired back:

“Attacking a young player for views is disgraceful.”

 

Problem?
Ashwin had also criticised the same selection on his YouTube show.

So, who was Gambhir really targeting?

Fans were confused:

“Is this about protecting players… or silencing critics?”

🧠 The Real Issue: Team Balance & Bumrah’s Absence

Behind the drama, there’s a real cricket debate:

India’s ODI team currently plays with 8 batters, meaning the No. 8 player must bat well.

Former players argue:

• Washington Sundar should be in the team, he can bat and bowl spin.
• With Jasprit Bumrah out, you need three quality pacers: Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Nitish Kumar.
• But Kuldeep Yadav is too good to drop.
• So, where does Harshit Rana fit?

One expert said:

“If we’re playing 3 spinners (Kuldeep, Chakravarthy, Sundar), and 3 frontline pacers, there’s no room for a fourth pacer unless someone gets injured.”

So yes, Srikanth had a point.
But Gambhir saw it as disrespect.

❓ PAA Method: Answering What Fans Are Asking

Let’s tackle top Google queries using the People Also Ask (PAA) strategy:

❓ Why did Gautam Gambhir attack Krishnamachari Srikanth?

Gambhir reacted strongly to Srikanth’s criticism of Harshit Rana, calling it unfair to target a young player for media attention. But many believe it was a personal reaction to being questioned.

❓ Did Ashwin also criticise Harshit Rana?

Yes. Ashwin expressed doubts about Rana’s readiness on his YouTube show but framed it as analysis, not an attack. When Gambhir responded, Ashwin said:

“Criticism shouldn’t destroy a player’s confidence. They have families, too.”

❓ Who is Aniruddha Srikanth?

Aniruddha is Krishnamachari Srikanth’s son and a former cricketer. He defended his father, accusing Ashwin of hypocrisy over past RCB comments.

❓ Is Harshit Rana ready for ODIs?

He’s talented, fast, aggressive, and hits 145+ km/h. But he’s played only 5 List A games. Many feel he needs more domestic experience before international duty.

❓ Will this conflict affect team morale?

Not directly, but public fights between legends and coaches can create confusion, leading to a loss of trust among fans. Young players get nervous. And unity suffers.

💬 Balwinder Sandhu: “A Coach Shouldn’t React Like This”

Veteran spinner Balwinder Sandhu stepped in, defending Srikanth:

“You can accept or reject advice. But you don’t abuse the person giving it.”

He added:

“Srikanth speaks boldly. So did he bat. That’s who he is.”

“As a coach, your job is to focus on the field, not fight on TV.”

Sandhu warned:

“If you respond to every comment, you’ll lose focus. Cricket isn’t social media.”

Fans agreed:

“Coaches should lead with calm, not anger.”

 Aniruddha Srikanth Fires Back at Ashwin: “Why Bro?”

Srikanth vs Ashwin cricket debate

When Ashwin said criticism could hurt a player’s family, Aniruddha hit back:

“A few years ago, you mocked the entire RCB bowling lineup. We laughed. Don’t you know they have families too?”

He called it hypocrisy:

“Everyone has opinions. On our channel, it’s strong and one-sided. Nothing’s changed.”

And then came the iconic line:

“Seekha (Srikanth) has been like this since he lit a cigarette at Lord’s in 1983. He was never afraid. I didn’t expect him to change.”

The clip went viral:

“Legends roast each other like this? Love it.”

“This isn’t cricket. It’s reality TV.”

⚖️ Where Does Truth Lie?

Let’s be clear:

• Srikanth criticised a selection—fair game.
• Gambhir defended his decision—also a fair one.
• But calling it “shameful” crossed a line.
• Ashwin gave similar views—but was praised for tone.
• Aniruddha exposed double standards.

As one journalist said:

“Cricket needs debate. But not division.”

Final Thoughts: Respect Over Ego

India doesn’t need another war.
We need unity.

Yes, coaches have final say.
But legends have earned the right to speak.

Instead of clashing, we should be asking:

• Is Harshit Rana ready?
• Should Sundar play for balance?
• Can India win in Australia with this combo?

Those are the real questions.

Because when heroes fight each other,
The only loser is cricket itself.

So let’s cool the heat.
Respect the past.
Trust the present.
And build the future together.

Watch & React

🎥 Watch: Aniruddha Srikanth’s “Why bro?” clip
📢 See: Ashwin’s statement on player criticism
💬 Comment below: Should former players be allowed to openly critique team selections—or is it time to stay silent?