Sourav Ganguly brands uncertainty surrounding Gautam Gambhir's Test career as 'unfair'

KL Rahul was preferred over Gautam Gambhir for Vizag Test.

New Delhi: When BCCI's selection committe opted to give Gautam Gambhir an extended run in the Indian squad by picking him for the first two Tests against England, many believed this two be the rebirth of the left-hander's career.

However, after disappointing in both innings in Rajkot Test ( 29 and 0 respectively), coupled with KL Rahul's heroics in Ranji Trophy, coach Anil Kumble and skipper Virat Kohli decided to put Rahul straight back in the starting XI, dropping Gambhir to the bench.

When the news of Lokesh Rahul partnering Murali Vijay for Vizag Test broke, former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly branded the whole situation as 'unfair' to Gautam Gambhir.

Here's what Dada said in an interview with ESPNCricinfo -

“The Indian team needs to take a decision on Gautam Gambhir. If they think that he is the way forward, Kohli and Anil Kumble need to sit and tell him – listen we don’t want you to play keeping in mind just one test in mind. It’s just too much pressure on Gambhir and it’s not fair."

“You have given a fair run to Rohit Sharma you have given a fair run to Murali Vijay and KL Rahul. I think, if you pick Gautam Gambhir – for that case any batsman whether it’s Karun Nair in the future, we have to give him a fair go.”

“If Gautam sticks to the scheme of things, you have to put your arm around Gambhir and say listen we are backing you don’t feel the heat of every Test match.”

It’s not possible for anyone to play Test match by Test match. We are the best in the world. I think it’s a decision that the team needs to make and if they feel Gambhir is the way forward just back him and say you just go out and play freely and without any pressure.”

Ganguly also said that he would prefer Ishant Sharma in place of Umesh Yadav for Vizag Test.

In the 2nd Test, KL Rahul failed to convert his Ranji Trophy form in first innings and got out on zero in only the second over of the match.