Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has launched a scathing attack on the Indian team management, specifically questioning Gautam Gambhir’s tactics after Washington Sundar was "risked" during the first ODI against New Zealand. In a move that Kaif branded a "wrong call," the management sent a visibly limping Sundar out to bat in Vadodara, sparking a major debate over player welfare and double standards.
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The controversy erupted during India’s chase of 301. With the match seemingly under control, Sundar hobbled to the crease to support KL Rahul. Although India won by four wickets, the decision backfired disastrously: Sundar’s injury aggravated, ruling him out of the rest of the series.
Mohammad Kaif didn't hold back on his YouTube channel, exposing the inconsistency in how the team handles star batters versus all-rounders. He pointed to the "protection" given to Shubman Gill during the South Africa series.
"You will remember when Shubman Gill was injured, he did not come out to bat in that Test match, the Kolkata Test," Kaif raged, noting that Gill was rested even when runs were needed. "That was done to give full protection to the player so the injury would not aggravate."
Mohammad Kaif blasted the management for not applying the same logic to Sundar. "But the same approach was not applied with Sundar. That is why I feel it was a wrong call... I feel there were higher chances of aggravating the injury."
Highlighting the risk of turning a minor knock into a long-term layoff, Kaif argued that other bowlers should have been sent in first. "If he is injured and you need runs at a run-a-ball, you should first try someone else... What might have been a one-week or ten-day injury could stretch to 20, 25, or even 30 days," he warned.
"I believe that was a wrong call. You could have sent Kuldeep, or anyone else... Only when it becomes absolutely unavoidable, right at the end, should you send Washington Sundar," Mohammad Kaif concluded.
