Former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad has slammed head coach Gautam Gambhir following the team’s 408-run defeat to South Africa in Guwahati on Wednesday, November 26. Prasad said that the Indian team management is obsessed with all-rounders in the playing XI, calling the tactic “absolute brain-fade.”
After winning the opener in Kolkata, the reigning ICC World Test Champions outplayed the hosts in all three departments in the second Test. They finished the series 2-0 with another dominant performance in Guwahati. Chasing 549 runs, the Men in Blue were bowled out for 140 runs in 63.5 overs in the final innings.
All-Rounder Obsession Is Absolute Brain-Fade – Venkatesh Prasad Slams Gautam Gambhir
Venkatesh Prasad said that Gautam Gambhir’s obsession with all-rounders has backfired. Prasad stated that India’s tactics, execution, and body language have all been poor. He urged the team to rethink strategies before their next Test assignment.
Your daily dose of cricket!
“Really disappointed by how India is going about in Test cricket,” wrote Prasad on X. “The all-rounder obsession is absolute brain-fade especially when you don’t bowl them.”
“Rank poor tactics, poor skills, poor body language and an unprecedented two series whitewash at home. Hope this does not get washed off with Test matches nine months away and this negative approach changes,” he added.
Really disappointed by how India is going about in Test cricket. The all-rounder obsession is absolute brain-fade especially when you don’t bowl them.
Rank Poor tactics, poor skills , poor body language and an unprecedented 2 series white wash at home. Hope this does not get…— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) November 26, 2025
They Don’t Play IPL but Keep Scoring Consistently – Venkatesh Prasad
India’s selection strategy in the playing XI came under scrutiny, with all-rounders who were barely used with the ball. Nitish Kumar Reddy bowled only ten overs across two innings in Guwahati.
Without naming anyone directly, Prasad said that the selectors need to pick specialist players. He added that the selection should be made based on performances from Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy rather than IPL form.
“Need to play specialists and players need to be picked on the basis of Ranji, Duleep Trophy in domestic cricket. Can pick in 50 overs based on IPL performance, but for Test cricket, Ranji and Duleep trophy have to be the barometer,” Prasad continued.
“Yash Rathod, Shubham Sharma, Baba Indrajith , Smaran Ravichandran are names most wouldn’t have heard off as they don’t play IPL but consistently scoring runs in domestic cricket.”
Need to play specialists and players need to be picked on the basis of Ranji, Duleep Trophy in domestic cricket. Can pick in 50 overs based on IPL performance, but for Test cricket, Ranji and Duleep trophy have to be the barometer.
Yash Rathod, Shubham Sharma, Baba Indrajith ,…— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) November 26, 2025
Can’t Function on Such Egos in the Interest of Indian Cricket – Venkatesh Prasad
Venkatesh Prasad said that players with modest first-class averages cannot be included in the Test side. Prasad expressed disappointment at a stubborn push to justify a flawed selection over the past eighteen months, calling it harmful to the interests of Indian cricket.
“Can’t play sub 40 FC avg players in the Test team based on IPL performances. Playing all rounder in Indian conditions because he can bat is not the correct approach in Test cricket,” Prasad opined.
“Test Cricket needs specialists. We all love Indian cricket and it’s sad to see what’s happening over the last year and a half just to somehow prove this flawed strategy right. Can’t function on such egos in the interest of Indian cricket , Truly disappointing.”
Can’t play sub 40 FC avg players in the Test team based on IPL performances.
Playing all rounder in Indian conditions because he can bat is not the correct approach in Test cricket. Test Cricket needs specialists. We all love Indian cricket and it’s sad to see what’s happening…— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) November 26, 2025
Former Indian opener WV Raman agreed with Venkatesh Prasad on team selections. Reacting to Prasad’s social media posts, Raman quipped that the former pacer had bowled a “long spell” but continued to hit the perfect areas, just as he did in his playing days.
“Long spell @venkateshprasad but hitting the right areas, like always..,” Raman wrote.
Long spell @venkateshprasad but hitting the right areas, like always.. https://t.co/aV9ii1Ck2o
— WV Raman (@wvraman) November 26, 2025
Also read: Ruturaj Gaikwad’s T20 World Cup 2026 hopes reignite after historic milestone
