Former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar called out head coach Gautam Gambhir for over-reliance on Washington Sundar amid the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. Sundar played ahead of Axar Patel in the last two games against the Netherlands and South Africa but could not deliver the goods.

The off-spinner was backed against the Proteas because of the number of left-handers in the opposition camp. Sundar returned with figures of 0-17 in two overs he bowled whereas he scored a run-a-ball 11 after getting a batting promotion at number five.

Sanjay Manjrekar said in an interview with Cricket Next, “Kailash Jeevan, there used to be a medicine by that name back in the day. If you had a headache, you’d apply it. If you had a stomach ache, you’d take it. It was an all-in-one remedy. Gautam Gambhir seems to have an all-in-one solution for everything too, Washington Sundar. If there’s a batting issue, Washi is the answer. If there’s a bowling problem, same answer. He was promoted up the order to No. 6 or 7 today, and it was just too much.”

After the heavy loss against South Africa, many experts questioned the team’s decision to play Washington Sundar ahead of Axar Patel. Patel is now expected to be part of the playing XI against Zimbabwe and many feel that Sanju Samson can replace Rinku Singh after the latter had to leave the team due to a family emergency.

Patel has scalped three wickets in the three games of the ongoing World Cup and he definitely deserves a place in the team as a vice-captain of the side. 

India will next take on Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on Thursday.