Gautam Gambhir called ‘dumb’ after Arshdeep Singh's stunning return in IND vs NZ 3rd ODI; ‘just imagine the stupidity’

India head coach Gautam Gambhir has always been at the heart of criticisms, mostly for his selection calls. From former cricketers Irfan Pathan and Ravichandran Ashwin to fans, the omission of Arshdeep Singh in the first two ODIs against New Zealand baffled many, with fingers pointed at Gambhir.

On Sunday, Gambhir was once again targeted, after Arshdeep struck in his first over on return at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore, in the third and final ODI against the Kiwis. Arguably the best left-arm pacers in the country at the moment, Arshdeep has been in and out of the side in ODIs.

Owner of 100-plus wickets for India in T20Is, Arshdeep has played just 14 ODIs before today, as compared to his 72 T20I appearances for the Men in Blue. With no Jasprit Bumrah in the side, Karnataka quick Prasidh Krishna was preferred over Arshdeep in the first two ODIs in Vadodara and Rajkot.

It didn't take much time for Arshdeep to make an impact on Sunday. The left-arm quick pitched a good length delivery with a hint of outswing. Henry Nicholls, caught on two minds, played it late and in the process chopped on his stumps after an inside edge.

Soon after his wicket, fans took to social media, reminding why he needed Arshdeep in the first two games. “Just Imagine the stupidity of Gautham Gambhir to Bench India's Best White Ball Pacer Arshdeep Singh in the 1st 2 Games. He always gets them wickets upfront,” one user wrote.

“How dumb Gautam Gambhir is, how someone can select Prasidh Krishna ahead of Arshdeep Singh. Arshdeep Singh can perform 8/10 matches but when it comes to run machine he will perform 10/10 for opposition,” another wrote. “Back in the XI. First-over wicket,” said LSG on X.