Pakistan cricketer Ahmed Shehzad has criticized the current Indian team management, led by Gautam Gambhir, after India’s crushing 76-run loss to South Africa in the Super 8 phase of the T20 World Cup. Shehzad, who recently went unsold at the Pakistan Super League (PSL) auction, accused the Indian management of mishandling senior players, particularly Virat Kohli.

Shehzad noted that India’s batting performance in the loss to South Africa highlighted a clear lack of direction, especially with Kohli no longer in the lineup. “Now that Kohli is not there, it is visible that this team has no clue how to chase under pressure,” Shehzad said. "They crumble, lack game awareness, and choke in big moments."

Shehzad’s Critique of the Indian Setup:

Shehzad also took a jab at the Indian management, specifically mentioning Gautam Gambhir’s decisions regarding team selection. He pointed to the omission of key players like Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, calling it a tactical blunder that hurt India's World Cup campaign.

He remarked, "You didn’t give the senior players the respect they deserved, and now they had to step aside. Even Virat Kohli’s brother mentioned in a tweet that he was not treated well by the current management, although he had to delete that post later."

The Absence of Kohli:

Shehzad, who has been an outspoken critic of the Indian team’s management, believes that India will only realize Kohli's true value once he is no longer part of the squad. He pointed out Kohli’s unparalleled ability to handle pressure situations, especially in run-chases. “Filling Virat Kohli's shoes won’t be easy. He’s the king of run-chases, and carrying that responsibility came naturally to him,” Shehzad added.

India’s Current Struggles:

India's performance in the Super 8 phase has been underwhelming, with their chances to defend the T20 World Cup title looking slim. Following their heavy loss to South Africa, the team will need to win their remaining matches and hope for other results to stay alive in the tournament.