Gautam Gambhir, India's head coach, faced constant criticism for backing his former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) players like Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy, and Shreyas Iyer for national selection. Many accused him of favouritism, calling it the 'KKR quota'. However, the same players are now proving Gambhir's vision right on the biggest stage.
The turning point came in India's Champions Trophy 2025 clash against New Zealand on Sunday, where both Varun and Iyer played key roles in India's 44-run win.
Despite never playing an ODI before the Champions Trophy, Gambhir backed Varun Chakravarthy to replace the injured Jasprit Bumrah. His selection raised eyebrows, especially with India carrying five spinners to Dubai. But Varun repaid the faith by picking up a stunning 5-wicket haul his maiden five-for in ODIs and single-handedly dismantling New Zealand's middle order.
On the batting front, it was Shreyas Iyer who rescued India after an early collapse. With the top three Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli back in the pavilion cheaply, Iyer's composed 79 off 98 balls helped India post a competitive 249/9.
Despite facing online trolling for being part of the so-called 'KKR quota', Iyer's match-winning knock made fans rethink their harsh words.
Social Media on Gautam Gambhir
Social media, which once mocked Gambhir for favouritism, did a complete U-turn. Fans flooded the internet with apologies, memes, and praise for the coach.
Gautam Gambhir's vision is shaping Team India's run in CT 2025
Gambhir's decision to back players based on talent rather than popularity has turned out to be a masterstroke. His belief in Varun Chakravarthy, Shreyas Iyer, and other youngsters is shaping India's dream run in the tournament.
With India set to face Australia in the semifinal, Gambhir's silent response to criticism is the best revenge letting his players do the talking on the field. The biggest question is whether Team India can lift Champions Trophy under Gambhir?
