Indian southpaw batsman Gautam Gambhir has hit out at team management for dropping Ambati Rayudu. In fact, Ambati Rayudu had scored a truckload in the Indian Premier League. Therefore, Rayudu was selected in the Indian ODI squad.
However, Rayudu failed to clear the Yo-Yo fitness test. Subsequently, he was shown the exit doors from the Indian team. Consequently, Gautam Gambhir wasn’t happy with India’s think tank.
Gautam Gambhir Questions the Indian team management working.
Gautam Gambhir said that the performance is more important. Furthermore, the southpaw opener said that it is the trainer’s responsibility to improve the fitness of the players. Thus also improve player’s Yo-Yo score.
“What is more important is performance. Suppose if a certain player is scoring close to 15 in yo-yo test, then it is the responsibility of the trainer to improve his fitness and take him to 16.1 or whatever the benchmark is. If they are bringing in fit players itself then what is the job of the trainer?,” Gambhir said while speaking to Sportstak.
Gautam Gambhir went on to add that the Indian team management should have given more time to Ambati Rayudu to get his fitness level higher. However, Rayudu could not make the cut after he could not clear the fitness test.
The trainer should help the players in achieving the fitness level.
“Rayudu performed exceptionally well in the IPL but he was dropped only because of yo-yo test. If his score was around 14.5, the team management should’ve given him one month to work with the trainer and improve his fitness in order to clear the yo-yo test. Even if he wouldn’t have achieved the score then it was fair to drop him.”
In fact, India’s middle order failed to deliver consistent performance in the ODI series against England. Therefore, Gautam Gambhir said that they could have gone on to win the ODI series if Ambati Rayudu would have been in the side.
“You never know India would’ve won the ODI series against England by 2-1 if Rayudu would’ve played in the middle-order where the visitors struggled”
Meanwhile, Ravi Shastri has made it clear that passing Yo-Yo Test is a must for any player who wants to break into the side.