Ravi Ashwin has lashed out at Gautam Gambhir (PC-x.com)
India are set to take on England in the semifinal clash of the T20 World Cup 2026, on Wednesday at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Head coach, Gautam Gambhir, has been the chief architect of the campaign for the Men in Blue.
Gautam Gambhir has been extraordinary as a sound leader from behind the scenes, but he is also popular for making some odd comments, which have landed him in controversy.
During the ongoing campaign, the Indian head coach stated that he doesn't believe in "data" and "match-ups", but he backs "instinct" in T20 cricket.
“I’ve never seen the data. I don’t even know what data is all about. I absolutely do not believe in it, because I feel it’s more about instinct. T20 cricket is about instinct and backing your instinct. Whatever knowledge I have about the game and T20 format, I try and probably give it to the captain, try and help him out as much as I can," Gautam Gambhir had said.
Ravi Ashwin calls out Gautam Gambhir's data comment
However, former Indian cricketer, Ravi Ashwin, has lashed out at the Indian head coach for his comments on data and match-ups.
While talking to seasoned journalist, Vimal Kumar, on his YouTube channel, the prolific off-spinner stated that "People are actually misunderstanding data". He further went on to call data a "friend".
Read More: Complete Timeline Of Babar Azam's Pakistan Downfall Explained
"See, you can say that in Adil Rashid and Suryakumar Yadav's match-up, Adil Rashid bowled so many balls and SKY made so many runs. That could be data. People are actually misunderstanding data. Data is not about giving you the numbers and me just reading them," Ravi Ashwin said while lashing out at Gautam Gambhir.
"I hope you understand that. There is one thing in the data interpretation. Addressing the data. England uses data incredibly well. I know that. They use it very well there. You must have heard that Ash thinks a lot about the game. I played my own game. I have massive respect for others who don't want to use data, Ravi Ashwin added.
"Because data is one thing if you can use it, it is your friend. If you don't know how to use it, it is your enemy. The game going forward, players will have to be smart players," he said while suggesting Gautam Gambhir.
Here's what Ravichandran Ashwin said on data:-
India's journey so far in T20 WC
Team India so far has lost just a solitary fixture in this edition of the T20 World Cup, when they lost to South Africa in the Super 8s. However, they haven't played their best game yet in this tournament.
The current no.1 batter and bowler, Abhishek Sharma and Varun Chakaravarthy, both have below-par performances. However, this duo have extraordinary numbers against England, who will be a tough hurdle to cross in the semifinal.
The winner of the semifinal between India and England will take on New Zealand in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Interestingly, the Kiwis haven't won a T20 World Cup ever, while it will be the third title if India or England go on to win the silverware.
Read More: Rashid Khan Sacked As Captain, Afghanistan ODI, T20I Squad vs Sri Lanka Announced
