Overview:
Earlier, Patil had a close rapport with Gambhir, who used to call him nearly every two weeks. When Patil was removed as a coach, Gambhir had reached out to check on him.
Sandeep Patil held the position of India’s chief selector for four years, a period during which his panel made some high-profile decisions, including dropping players like Yuvraj Singh, Sachin Tendulkar, and Gautam Gambhir. Patil spoke openly about them on The Vicky Lalwani Show on YouTube.
For a long time, Yuvraj Singh’s father, Yograj Singh, publicly blamed MS Dhoni for his son being sidelined from the Indian team. Patil, who chaired the selection meetings, clarified that Dhoni had no influence over the committee’s decisions.
“Not a single time, whether in selection meetings, on tours, or during matches, did Mahendra Singh Dhoni ever ask for Yuvraj Singh to be dropped. I want to make that clear on record,” Patil said.
“He had complete trust in the selection committee and never raised any objections,” he added.
On Yograj Singh’s anger, Patil added: “It’s natural for a father to feel strongly about his son, but he is blaming the wrong person.”
In late 2012, following India’s Test series loss to England in Nagpur, Patil and fellow selector Rajendra Singh Hans wanted a meeting with Tendulkar, which required formal clearance from the Anti-Corruption Unit.
“I asked him, ‘What are your plans?’
He replied, ‘Why?’ I explained that the committee was considering a replacement. He was taken aback and called me again, asking, ‘Are you serious?’ I confirmed that I was.”
“Tendulkar later chose to retire and personally informed me, saying, ‘Sandy, I’ve decided to announce my retirement.”
When news of the Nagpur meeting broke, the reaction was intense. Patil recalls one headline, “Sachin Tendulkar bowled by Sandip Patil,” and chuckles.“I bowled so well that I even managed to get Sachin Tendulkar out.”
He acknowledges some of the criticism. “I can see why people were upset. After all, it’s Sachin Tendulkar. Shami was brought in, Bumrah, Ashwin, Jadeja, Rahane. No one talks about those selections. Everyone only remembers that we dropped Sachin,” he mentioned.
Gautam Gambhir was removed from the team following Shikhar Dhawan’s inclusion, and Patil says he has not had any conversation with Gambhir since then.
“We have appeared on the same television shows, News18 and ABP, with Gauti and me both present. He has never once acknowledged me, not even a glance. Every time I say hello, he does not respond.”
Earlier, Patil had a close rapport with Gambhir, who used to call him nearly every two weeks. When Patil was removed as a coach, Gambhir had reached out to check on him.
“He doesn’t forget and he doesn’t forgive. That is fine. I still have respect for him and I still like him.”