Gautam Gambhir’s initial tenure as India’s head coach, which started triumphantly with a three-nil series win in the T20I leg, concluded on a more subdued note with a winless run in the ODIs, finalized on Wednesday in Colombo. As the Champions Trophy inches closer, slated to be played in six months, the Indian team has already begun integrating various aspects of Gambhir’s methods. This report delves into the significant takeaways from Gambhir’s first tour as India’s coach: his coaching approach, the outcome of experimental player selections replacing the rested trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja, and more.
**Maximizing Both Batting Depth and Bowling Potential**
Leveraging his prior coaching stints with the Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, Gambhir chose team formations for both T20Is and ODIs that would maximize batting depth. Players like Axar Patel found themselves slated to bat as low as No. 8 or No. 9 at various points throughout the six-game tour.
To facilitate this strategy, Gambhir needed to extract maximum value from the all-rounders and part-time bowlers in the team. Historically, one of India’s longstanding issues was that their bowlers had limited batting prowess while their top batters rarely bowled. During this tour, Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Rinku Singh, and Suryakumar Yadav all took the ball at different times, experiencing varying degrees of success. More crucially, Riyan Parag and Shivam Dube were tasked with greater bowling responsibilities.
**Evaluating Parag and Dube’s Performances with the Ball**
Riyan Parag made an impactful debut by taking three critical wickets in the final ODI and proving to be the most effective bowler for the team with his deceptive action that cloaks a leg-break from an off-break. Even during the two T20Is where he went wicketless, Parag remained economical on flat pitches where the Sri Lankan top-order gained strong starts.
Conversely, Dube struggled to pose any real threat aside from obtaining his maiden ODI wicket. Despite an assistive pitch, Dube could not capitalize on the opportunity to make a compelling case for himself as a backup for Hardik Pandya, both with the bat and ball. His fielding, apart from one exceptional catch, left much to be desired. Unlike the spin department, which boasts ample all-round options, India’s hunt for a pace all-rounder continues without producing reliable options beyond Hardik.
**Future Opportunities for Parag?**
While Parag earned more national team chances with his bowling, his batting did not mirror the same success. Introduced into Team India following a standout IPL season, Parag delivered underwhelming performances in his initial five seasons. This change in form was attributed to his transition from a finisher to a No. 4 spot with Rajasthan Royals.
. However, within the Indian team, he resumes the finisher role, a position he has previously struggled with. National team opportunities are scarce, and it remains to be seen if Parag can adapt and excel in this role.
**The Left-Right Combos**
Gambhir has brought more than just batting depth from his IPL experience to the Indian team, particularly a preference for right-left combinations throughout the innings. This approach was especially prominent in the T20Is and influenced the team’s selection and positional strategy. The plan was less successful in ODIs, primarily because spin played a significant role and opposing teams were equipped with multiple spin options.
**Will the Left-Right Obsession Continue with a Full-Strength Squad?**
It seems likely for T20Is. In the context of ODIs, if the top six includes Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Hardik Pandya, the No. 7 slot—perhaps filled by Ravindra Jadeja or Axar Patel—will likely have an enhanced role in the middle overs. They might not often bat in their designated positions. Currently, barring Rishabh Pant and somewhat Yashasvi Jaiswal, there are no strong left-handed contenders challenging the right-handers for a spot in the squad. Given that India’s upcoming matches will likely take place on flatter pitches than the one in Colombo, the necessity of a right-left combination compared to other skills will be reevaluated.
**Washington Sundar’s Contribution**
The offspinning all-rounder bolstered his chances of staying in the lineup after a stellar Player of the Series performance in Zimbabwe. Gathering 50 runs and claiming five wickets in three games, Sundar made contributions at pivotal moments. His presence helps Gambhir achieve two of his core team strategies: batting depth and the implementation of a right-left combination. Nevertheless, whether Sundar has a place in the ODI XI, given India’s previous approach to the format, remains a subject of discussion.
**Struggles Against Spin**
While many of Gambhir’s tactics sound promising on paper, India’s difficulties in combating spin during the middle overs have surfaced as a new challenge. Across three games, barring consistent performances from Rohit Sharma and occasional contributors, India’s lineup crumbled against spin. The leg breaks of Jeffrey Vandersay, the variations of Wanindu Hasaranga, Charith Asalanka’s part-time offspin, and Dunith Wellalage’s left-arm orthodox deliveries have all led to India’s downfall. While these struggles could be specific to Sri Lankan conditions and may have limited relevance to pitches in other international venues, they nevertheless present a significant concern.
In summary, Gambhir’s initial stint as India’s coach was a mixed bag of triumphs and lessons. The upcoming Champions Trophy will be a litmus test for whether the strategies he’s implemented will see sustained success.