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Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir on Sunday criticised the Indian selectors for picking all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer for ODIs on the basis of his performance in IPL. Gambhir said this during the 3rd ODI between South Africa and India in Cape Town. Gambhir added that picking Iyer for the T20Is makes sense but not for the ODIs.

"Selecting Venkatesh Iyer in ODIs on basis of 7-8 IPL games is absolutely wrong", Gambhir said during the commentary.

Notably, Venkatesh Iyer was dropped for the final ODI after a string of low scores in the first two games. Suryakumar Yadav was included in the playing XI in place of the all-rounder.

Team India lost the ODI series 3-0 after a close defeat in the final ODI. Deepak Chahar played a valiant knock and took the game deep but he failed to take Team India over the line.

Cricket isn’t played on reputations: Gambhir

Gambhir had earlier criticised Team India for a dismal South Africa tour. The former cricketer said that it doesn't matter what reputation you have as a team. The way a team plays in the middle determines the results.

“Fear of losing. You don’t play on reputations. Cricket isn’t played on reputations. It is played in the middle. Many people say that India’s top-4 or top-5 is very explosive and very experienced. But the way you play in the middle is the only way to determine results”, said Gambhir while speaking on Star Sports.