Yograj Singh Questions India's Approach to Player Management After Border-Gavaskar Loss

 

After India’s 3-1 defeat to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, former cricketer Yograj Singh expressed his concerns over the lack of support for senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma during tough phases. Kohli, who scored just 190 runs in five matches, often fell victim to the same dismissal, chasing deliveries outside the off-stump. Meanwhile, Rohit struggled as well, managing only 31 runs in three games before sitting out the final Test in Sydney.

 

Singh emphasized the importance of man-management over traditional coaching at the highest level. "Players representing India don’t always need technical coaching but someone to guide them mentally when things aren’t going well. Even the best players can have mental blocks or make repetitive mistakes. That’s when they need someone to step in and say, ‘Let’s fix this together,’" Singh said.

 

Highlighting Kohli's struggles, Singh remarked, "Virat kept getting out playing his favorite shot—the right-hand push. On bouncy pitches, that shot becomes risky. Someone needed to tell him to adjust his approach. Coaching is about spotting technical issues, but man-management is about helping players clear their mental blocks and regain confidence."

 

Singh also addressed the role of head coach Gautam Gambhir, acknowledging his sharp cricketing mind but suggesting that proper management is key to holding the team together. "Gambhir has a brilliant mind and knows how to correct mistakes, but younger players and even seniors need someone to reassure them during tough times. Whether it’s Rohit, Kohli, or Bumrah, every player needs support to overcome challenges," he said.