“Selections without clarity…”: Former cricketer blasts Gautam Gambhir-Ajit Agarkar duo after India’s disastrous loss to South Africa in Kolkata Test

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Former India pacer has launched a scathing critique on the Indian team management and selectors following India’s shocking defeat to South Africa in the first Test at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Despite holding the upper hand for much of the match, India suffered a dramatic collapse on Day 3, getting bundled out for just 93 while chasing 124. The result handed South Africa a 1-0 lead in the two-match series and exposed deep flaws in India’s red-ball strategy under the current leadership.

Shubman Gill’s absence in the second innings, after being retired hurt due to a neck injury in the first, added to India’s woes. The incident, however, couldn’t justify the larger issues the ex-India player pointed out — what he called “confusing selections” and over-dependence on short-term tactical thinking. Gill had been taken to the hospital for observation, but questions about team preparation and balance overshadowed his injury concerns.

In a strongly worded post on social media, Venkatesh Prasad expressed frustration over India’s recent Test performances, singling out head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar for their lack of direction. He noted that while India has performed admirably in white-ball formats under Gambhir’s guidance, its Test results tell another story.

“Selections without clarity and over-tactical thinking are backfiring. Our red-ball planning has lacked purpose,” Prasad wrote, alleging that the management’s inconsistent selections have destabilized team balance.

While we have been excellent in white- ball cricket.We can’t call ourselves a top Test side with such planning.Selections without clarity and over-tactical thinking are backfiring. Poor results over a year in tests barring a drawn series in England. . #IndvsSA

— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) November 16, 2025

Since Gambhir’s appointment, India’s Test record has been inconsistent, with defeats in Australia and South Africa and a drawn series in England being the only silver lining. Critics argue that repeated changes in batting order, unclear middle-order roles, and inconsistent use of spinners have hampered India’s stability. Prasad’s remarks rekindled the ongoing debate on whether India’s red-ball priorities have been compromised in pursuit of short-format success.

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South Africa’s victory was built on the outstanding spin duo of Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj, who exploited the wearing Eden Gardens pitch to perfection. Harmer recorded figures of 4-30 in India’s first innings and followed it with another four-wicket haul in the second, finishing with eight wickets in the match. His dismissal of Rishabh Pant via a sharp caught-and-bowled was a turning point, breaking India’s resistance during a tense second session.

Keshav Maharaj added crucial breakthroughs, striking twice in successive balls to clean up India’s tail and seal the result for the Proteas. South African captain Temba Bavuma played a vital hand earlier, scoring an unbeaten 55 to lift his side from 91-7 to 153 all out, giving their bowlers something to defend.

The defeat has raised pressing questions about India’s direction in the longest format. With the second Test looming, pressure mounts on Gambhir and Agarkar to respond with accountability and clarity. As Prasad’s criticism continues to echo across social media, the team’s next selection and strategy will be under intense scrutiny from fans and former players alike.

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