• Source:JND
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IND vs ENG 5th Test: Ex-India cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu heaped praises on team India head coach Gautam Gambhir for his determination in the recently concluded Test series against England and also slammed his critics by asking them to stand up and greet him after the series ended in a 2-2 tie. India, which entered this series after the sudden retirements of seniors Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from the longest format, played brilliant cricket throughout the five intense Test matches and thus ensured the series ended in a draw on English soil. Looking at the result after the nail-biting thriller at the Oval, Sidhu reckoned that Gambhir should also be praised for the team's success.

"We do a lot of hero-worshipping. I want to say that whenever India plays even a little badly, anyone and everyone climbs on Gautam Gambhir and blames him. Will you stand up and greet him today?" Sidhu was quoted as saying on his YouTube channel.

Sidhu further revealed that by including wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, they might have helped them achieve the same results, but lauded Gambhir for sticking to his youngsters even though he was criticised brutally.

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"It was Gautam Gambhir who insisted on this transition, who gave opportunities to guys like Akash Deep and Washington. Yes, Kuldeep was maybe a better option. But he had conviction. There will be scope for improvement today and tomorrow as well. But for someone who has been questioned and criticised so much, today give him the due that he deserves," he said.

"There were many unknowns when the team went, who had not made their name. Gambhir had told three to four big names are missing from the team, but think of it as an opportunity for others to establish themselves. His words have proven to be true. Be it Brisbane, Perth, or England, history has been scripted by youngsters, and it is a big thing," he concluded. Gambhir too entered this series on the back of some immense pressure since they had lost two consecutive Test series to New Zealand and Australia.

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Sidhu remembered how Gambhir came out in support of these youngsters ahead of this series and saw it as a chance for them to perform well.