Can Gambhir overcome snub?
Despite important scores in the Commonwealth Bank Series, Gautam Gambhir has dropped down the pecking order in the bid to become India's next captain, with Virat Kohli being picked as vice-captain for the Asia Cup
Dustin Silgardo
25-Feb-2013
Despite important scores in the Commonwealth Bank Series, Gautam Gambhir has dropped down the pecking order in the bid to become India's next captain, with Virat Kohli being picked as vice-captain for the Asia Cup. Somehow, Amol Karhadkar writes in the Hindustan Times, he has also managed to include himself in the bracket of old, slow-moving players. The next few weeks are important for him to prove his mettle, Karhadkar writes.
Expectedly, Gambhir was the man in waiting in case Dhoni passed on the baton. However, the selectors sprang a surprise by ignoring Gambhir and appointing Virat as vice-captain. The timing of the announcement is crucial. If Gambhir lets this affect him and fails to fire with the bat over the next three weeks, it could have serious repercussions on India's campaign in the CB Series (if they make it to the finals) and Asia Cup. These three weeks will test his mettle as a professional cricketer.
Dustin Silgardo is a former sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo