Srikkanth criticises Gambhir over KL Rahul decision: "Like Samson, Sooryavanshi, you screwed him up"
Srikkanth publicly criticised Gambhir’s decision on KL Rahul’s batting position after India lost the ODI series, delivering a sharply worded rebuke that referenced other players. "Like Samson, Sooryavanshi, you screwed him up," Srikkanth said, singling out Gambhir’s handling of the situation.
The remarks came in the wake of India’s series defeat and focused on the role assigned to KL Rahul in the batting order. Srikkanth’s intervention framed the controversy in personal terms, invoking the names Samson and Sooryavanshi in his complaint. The exchange has drawn attention to selection and tactical choices surrounding Rahul without detailing match scores or individual innings in the available report. The comments were published on July 21, 2026 by India Today Sports.
Srikkanth’s criticism placed responsibility squarely on Gambhir for how Rahul was deployed, using blunt language to make the point. The reported quote — "Like Samson, Sooryavanshi, you screwed him up" — was presented as a direct accusation. The terse, forceful phrasing reflected clear dissatisfaction with the decision-making that preceded the series outcome.
The coverage emphasised the link between tactical selection and the team result, though specifics of Rahul’s position or the precise tactical change were not outlined in the available material. Srikkanth’s reference to Samson and Sooryavanshi drew a comparison to other cases in which player roles had been altered, according to the report. The focus remained on the perceived consequences for Rahul rather than on quantitative match data.
The reaction added a high-profile voice to the discussion around Rahul’s role following the series loss. Srikkanth’s statement, attributed in the report, aimed at Gambhir and articulated frustration in stark terms. No further quotes or responses from Gambhir or other team members were included in the material provided.
Srikkanth’s public call-out of Gambhir keeps the spotlight on selection and batting-order decisions after India’s ODI series defeat. The pointed quote reiterated the critic’s stance and ensured the matter remains part of the post-series conversation.
