Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as India’s head coach kicked off with an impressive three-nil series win in the T20I leg against Sri Lanka, but concluded on a more somber note with a winless run in the ODIs on Wednesday in Colombo. Despite the mixed results, Gambhir’s first tour as India’s coach saw the national team adapting to some of his specific methods, with the Champions Trophy now looming just six months away. This article delves into the crucial takeaways from Gambhir’s maiden coaching voyage, focusing on his strategies, the outcomes of player trials, and the general outlook for Team India.
**Batting Depth and Bowling Maximization**
Gautam Gambhir’s past stints with the Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders already highlighted his penchant for deep batting line-ups and his strategy was no different with the Indian team during this series. He introduced innovative combinations in both T20Is and ODIs that enhanced the batting depth, exemplified by Axar Patel batting as low as No. 8 or No. 9 at different junctures of the tour. Gambhir’s emphasis required making the most out of the bowling potential of the all-rounders and part-timers within the squad. Historically, India faced challenges where bowlers had limited batting capabilities and top batters seldom bowled. On this tour, players like Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Rinku Singh, and Suryakumar Yadav contributed with the ball, showcasing varying degrees of success. More notably, Riyan Parag and Shivam Dube were handed increased responsibilities with the ball.
**Performance Highlights: Parag and Dube**
Riyan Parag demonstrated promising efforts with the ball. Though his three wickets in the first T20I appeared straightforward, his trio of scalps in the final ODI were crucial. In his maiden ODI, Parag stood out with his bowling, especially considering his ability to disguise deliveries which made him the most effective bowler on the team. Even in the T20Is, where he recorded no wickets, Parag maintained economy on flat tracks that favored the Sri Lankan top-order.
In contrast, Shivam Dube’s contributions fell short of expectations. Despite securing his first ODI wicket, he struggled to pose any significant threat. Unlike Parag, Dube found little assistance from the pitch, and his inability to cement his role as a potential backup for Hardik Pandya—either with the bat or ball—remains a concern. Dube’s fielding, save for one exceptional catch, also left much to be desired. India’s search for an effective pace all-rounder beyond Pandya continues.
**Prospects for Riyan Parag**
Parag’s bowling display has arguably earned him more opportunities with the national team, though his primary skill, batting, lacked similar impact. He was fast-tracked into the Indian team largely based on one exceptional Indian Premier League (IPL) season, after several underwhelming years. His promotion from finisher to a more familiar No.
. 4 spot in the Rajasthan Royals contributed significantly to his resurgence. However, in Team India, he finds himself again in the finisher’s slot—a role he has historically struggled with. Parag’s future with the national team hinges on his ability to thrive in this challenging position.
**Gambhir’s Left-Right Combination Strategy**
Gautam Gambhir also brought his left-right batting combination strategy from the IPL to the Indian setup, particularly noticeable in the T20Is. This concept influenced both team selection and positional planning. While the approach was replicated in ODIs, its primary motive was the significant role of spin and the opponents’ vast array of spin options. The question remains whether this tactic will persist when India’s full-strength squad is available. It certainly seems likely for the T20Is.
In ODIs, where lineup slots are anticipated to be filled by the likes of Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Hardik Pandya, the No. 7 position—potentially occupied by Ravindra Jadeja or Axar Patel—could find itself more integral in the middle overs. The scarcity of left-handed batsmen, barring Rishabh Pant and to some extent Yashasvi Jaiswal, poses a challenge. Given that most of India’s limited-overs cricket will be on flat tracks, the necessity of a left-right combination could be re-evaluated.
**The Case of Washington Sundar**
Washington Sundar didn’t hurt his chances following his impressive Player of the Series performance in Zimbabwe. His contributions—critical runs with the bat and useful wickets with the ball—bolstered Gambhir’s focus on batting depth and the effective implementation of the left-right combination. Despite this, the traditional Indian ODI approach leaves Sundar’s position in the XI uncertain.
**Struggles Against Spin**
Not everything worked smoothly for Team India under Gambhir’s coaching. The most notable struggle was the inability to handle spin in the middle overs, which opened a new challenge for the coaching staff. Across three games, India’s lineup, excluding a few consistent performers, crumbled against spin. Bowlers like Jeffrey Vandersay, Wanindu Hasaranga, Charith Asalanka, and Dunith Wellalage were instrumental in their downfall. Though these issues might be specific to Sri Lankan conditions with limited impact on other international venues, they highlight a significant area for improvement.
In conclusion, Gautam Gambhir’s initial stint as India’s head coach was a mixed bag of successes and challenges. While his strategies offered depth and variability, they also exposed vulnerabilities, especially against spin. As Team India gears up for the Champions Trophy in six months, these takeaways will be critical in refining their approach and fortifying their strengths.