India, Aug. 6 -- Former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu threw his weight behind Gautam Gambhir, backing him strongly after India held England to a 2-2 draw in the five-match series, silencing those who questioned his leadership. Gautam Gambhir stepped into the England series under a cloud of scrutiny, having come off successive defeats against New Zealand and Australia. Even on the England tour, his selection calls, including keeping Kuldeep Yadav and Arshdeep Singh on the bench, were questioned-but India's 2-2 finish has helped him turn criticism into quiet vindication.

Sidhu reminded critics of the flak Gambhir received during India's rough patch and called for them to now acknowledge his success and give him the respect he's earned with ...