Ind vs Eng 5th Test | 'Will you stand up and greet him today?': Sidhu castigates Gautam Gambhir's critics

Gautam Gambhir (Pic: X/@BCCI)

Former Team India opening batsman Navjot Singh Sidhu heaped praise on incumbent head coach Gautam Gambhir by questioning his critics to stand up and greet him.

Under the coaching of Gambhir, Team India secured a 2-2 draw in the five-match Test series against England.

"We do a lot of hero-worshipping. I want to say that whenever India plays even a little badly, anyone and everyone climbs on Gautam Gambhir and blames him. Will you stand up and greet him today?," Sidhu said in support of Gambhir on his YouTube channel.

Sidhu also spoke about the omission of wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, and choosing players like Akash Deep and Washington Sundar ahead of him.

"It was Gautam Gambhir who insisted on this transition, who gave opportunities to guys like Akash Deep and Washington. Yes, Kuldeep was maybe a better option. But he had conviction. There will be scope for improvement today and tomorrow as well. But for someone who has been questioned and criticised so much, today give him the due that he deserves," said the former cricketer, who has played 51 Test matches for India.

One of the biggest points to note from the series was that the Indian team had travelled to England without the likes of its star players such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin.

The 61-year-old said that Gambhir had earlier told the Indian pack that the absence of three bigwigs should act as an opportunity for the youngsters.

"There were many unknowns when the team went who had not made their name. Gambhir had told three to four big names are missing from the team but think of it as an opportunity for others to establish themselves," said Navjot Singh Sidhu.

"His words have proven to be true. Be it Brisbane, Perth, or England, history has been scripted by youngsters and it is a big thing," he concluded.

Additionally, Team India missed the services of its lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah. The pacer was provided the rest, considering his workload management. Earlier, he was advised by the professionals not to play consecutive Test matches.

(With PTI Inputs)