Gautam Gambhir’s stint as India’s head coach, which began with a dominant 3-0 series win in the T20I format, culminated on a less fortunate note with a winless run in the ODIs this past Wednesday in Colombo. As the cricketing world looks forward to the Champions Trophy scheduled to take place in six months, the Indian team has already started to imbibe facets of Gambhir’s coaching approach. In this report, we delve into the significant takeaways from Gambhir’s first tour as India’s coach, examining his strategic methods, the outcomes of player trials in the absence of primary stars, and more.
**Batting Depth and Bowling Potential**
Drawing from his rich coaching experience with Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, Gautam Gambhir elected to assemble teams that bolstered batting depth in both T20Is and ODIs. This strategic choice often saw players like Axar Patel being slated to bat as low as No. 8 or 9 during the course of the six-game tour. The onus was on leveraging the bowling prowess of the squad’s all-rounders and part-timers effectively.
India’s recent struggles largely stemmed from bowlers with limited batting capabilities and key batters who seldom bowled. Gambhir’s tenure saw players like Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Rinku Singh, and Suryakumar Yadav taking turns with the ball, albeit with mixed success. Notably, Riyan Parag and Shivam Dube were entrusted with enhanced bowling responsibilities.
**Assessing Riyan Parag and Shivam Dube’s Performances**
In the first T20I, Riyan Parag picked up three wickets that appeared to be fortunate gains, but his three wickets in the final ODI proved crucial. Making his ODI debut, Parag’s bowling action, which skillfully disguises a leg break from an off-break, made him India’s most effective bowler in that game. Although he did not take any wickets in two T20Is, Parag maintained a respectable economy on flat tracks where the Sri Lankan top-order seemed dominant.
Conversely, Shivam Dube’s performance was less impressive despite securing his maiden ODI wicket. Unlike Parag, Dube struggled with minimal assistance from the pitch. A bigger concern was Dube’s failure to capitalize on his opportunity to solidify his position as a backup for Hardik Pandya, both with the bat and ball. Aside from taking one exceptional catch, Dube’s fielding was subpar. Unlike the spin department which boasts several all-round talents, the search for a pace all-rounder remains limited to Hardik Pandya.
**Future Prospects for Riyan Parag**
Parag’s commendable bowling spells have increased his chances for future selections in the national team. However, his primary skill – batting – did not shine as brightly during the tour.
. Following a stellar IPL season, Parag was promoted to the Indian team, although his performance in the first five seasons of IPL had been mediocre. The shift to a No. 4 position in the Rajasthan Royals team enhanced his performance, but he finds himself back in a finisher’s role with Team India. National team opportunities are rare, and it remains to be seen if Parag can excel in a less familiar position.
**Fixation on Left-Right Hand Combinations**
In addition to batting depth, Gambhir brought another strategy from his IPL experience – the preference for left-right hand combinations throughout the innings. This was prominently observed in the T20Is and influenced the team’s selection and skill positioning. This strategy extended to the ODIs primarily due to the significant role played by spin bowling and the presence of numerous spinning options in opposing teams.
**Future Implementation of the Obsession**
Expect this strategy to persist in T20Is. As for ODIs, with the expected top six comprising Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Hardik Pandya, the No. 7 spot could go to Ravindra Jadeja or Axar Patel, who would play a significant role in the middle overs. With few contenders like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal challenging the spots of top right-hand batters, the need for left-right combinations, particularly on flat tracks, might undergo reassessment.
**Washington Sundar’s Role**
Washington Sundar, with his commendable Player of the Series performance in Zimbabwe, hasn’t hurt his chances. His contributions of 50 runs and five wickets in three games might not seem stellar, but they have been impactful at critical junctures. He fits Gambhir’s requirements neatly, providing both batting depth and a right-left combination. Yet, the question remains if there’s room for him in the ODI XI given India’s traditional approach.
**Struggles Against Spin**
Despite the theoretical soundness of tested strategies, India’s vulnerability to spin in the middle overs has opened new challenges for Gambhir. The team experienced collapses against a variety of spin attacks, including Jeffrey Vandersay’s leg breaks, Wanindu Hasaranga’s variations, Charith Asalanka’s part-time off-spin, and Dunith Wellalage’s left-arm orthodox deliveries. Although these struggles may be specific to the Sri Lankan conditions, they nevertheless pose a concern that needs addressing.
Gautam Gambhir’s maiden tour as India’s head coach brings to light several insights and strategic implementations that could shape the team’s future. As the team gears up for the Champions Trophy, the lessons from this tour will be crucial for fine-tuning their strategies and player roles.