Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as India’s head coach, which commenced with a commendable three-nil series win in the T20I leg, concluded on a more somber note with a winless run in the ODIs in Colombo on Wednesday. As the clock ticks down to the Champions Trophy, set to unfold in six months, the Indian team has already imbibed certain facets of Gambhir’s methodologies. Delving deeper, we highlight some pivotal insights from Gambhir’s inaugural tour as India’s coach, examining his strategies, the outcomes of trials with the newcomers filling in for resting stalwarts Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja, among other notable aspects.
### Batting Depth and Maximizing Bowling Potential
Drawing from his rich coaching repertoire with Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders, it was no surprise that Gautam Gambhir favored squad combinations in both T20Is and ODIs that bolstered batting depth. Throughout the six-game tour, the lineup saw Axar Patel positioned as low as No. 8 or No. 9, underscoring Gambhir’s tactical maneuvers to extend batting capabilities deep into the order.
To execute this strategy, Gambhir leaned heavily on maximizing the bowling potential of the squad’s all-rounders and part-timers. Historically, the Indian team has grappled with a dichotomy – their bowlers often lacked batting prowess, and their premier batsmen contributed minimally in bowling. In a noteworthy shift on this tour, players like Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Rinku Singh, and Suryakumar Yadav were seen donning the bowler’s hat intermittently, achieving varied success. Of particular interest was the enhanced responsibility handed to Riyan Parag and Shivam Dube with the ball.
### Evaluating Parag and Dube’s Bowling Legacies
Riyan Parag made significant strides during the tour. While his three-wicket haul in the first T20I might have seemed fortuitous, his subsequent three wickets in the concluding ODI were pivotal. Dans his ODI debut, Parag, with a bowling action adept at concealing a leg break from an off-break, emerged as the team’s most effective bowler. Despite going wicketless in two T20Is, his economical bowling on batsmen-friendly pitches demonstrated his potential. In stark contrast, Shivam Dube’s bowling stint left much to be desired. Even with scant pitch assistance, Dube did not pose any substantial threat, thus failing to solidify his position as a viable backup for Hardik Pandya. His inconsistent fielding, notwithstanding a spectacular catch, further accentuated this plight.
### The Future for Parag?
Riyan Parag’s commendable performances with the ball might earn him more opportunities with the national team. However, his primary skill – batting – did not echo the same impact.
. Drafted into Team India following a standout IPL season, Parag struggled to replicate this success when relegated to a finisher’s role as opposed to his more familiar No. 4 slot. Given the scarce and sporadic nature of opportunities at the national level, whether Parag can flourish in an unfamiliar role remains a point of contention.
### Obsessive Left-Right Combinations
Gambhir’s penchant for a right-left combination, a strategy carried over from his IPL exploits, prominently influenced batting orders during the T20Is and team selection in the ODIs. This tactical approach was particularly evident given the significant role of spin and opposition teams brimming with various spin options.
### Continuation of the Left-Right Strategy with a Full-Strength Squad?
This obsession is likely to persist in T20Is. In ODI scenarios, however, the return of Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Hardik Pandya in the top six implies a pivotal role for the No. 7, potentially Ravindra Jadeja or Axar Patel, mid-innings. Except for Rishabh Pant and, to some extent, Yashasvi Jaiswal, no significant contenders challenge the right-handers for team spots. With India likely playing on flatter tracks more frequently, the necessity and efficacy of a right-left combination may be reassessed.
### What About Washington Sundar?
Offspinning all-rounder Washington Sundar strengthened his candidacy post an impactful Player of the Series performance in Zimbabwe. Despite modest statistics of 50 runs and five wickets in three games, Sundar’s contributions arrived at critical junctures. His dual prowess in bat and ball aligns seamlessly with Gambhir’s dual-integrative approach of enhancing batting depth and maintaining a right-left combination. Nonetheless, accommodating him in the XI, given India’s traditional ODI strategies, remains a debatable quandary.
### Addressing Spin Vulnerabilities
Despite embracing these progressive strategies on paper, India’s struggle against spin during the middle overs has emerged as a critical challenge. In three successive ODI matches, barring consistent performances from Rohit Sharma and sporadic contributions from others, the Indian lineup faltered against a plethora of spin variations. Jeffrey Vandersay’s leg breaks, Wanindu Hasaranga’s concoctions, Charith Asalanka’s part-time offspin, and Dunith Wellalage’s left-arm orthodox deliveries collectively influenced India’s batting collapses. While these issues may be tied to Sri Lankan conditions with limited impact elsewhere globally, their persistence is worrisome.
In summary, Gambhir’s maiden tour as India’s head coach has seen an amalgamation of promising strategies and recurring challenges. As the Champions Trophy looms closer, these insights could significantly influence India’s cricketing blueprint moving forward.