Head coach needs to watch reserve pool; prepares blueprint for WTC, T20 and ODI WCs
NEW DELHI: There could also be no worldwide cricket for India within the subsequent three months, however head coach Gautam Gambhir has already firmed up his prep plan for the five-Check tour of England beginning in late June. TOI has learnt that Gambhir has determined to journey with the India ‘A’ group to England earlier than the Check tour will get underway on June 20.
For the reason that Indian cricket board (BCCI) does not have any designated coach for the developmental sides, will probably be fascinating to see if Gambhir travels simply as an observer or BCCI’s Head Cricket VVS Laxman takes up the function. After Rahul Dravid had assumed the function of the top coach of the senior group, for India ‘A’ and U-19 assignments the BCCI rotated coaches from the pool on the Nationwide Cricket Academy. It will be the primary time the senior group coach will probably be accompanying an India A facet on a tour.
Sources instructed TOI that Gambhir has been engaged on a roadmap throughout codecs for the subsequent two years resulting in the 2027 ODI World Cup, a part which can even embrace the World Check Championship and 2026 T20 World Cup. “Gambhir has been in discussions with the BCCI since he returned from Australia. He has expressed his want to journey with the India ‘A’ group to get a clearer view of the reserve pool,” a BCCI supply mentioned. “With India profitable the Champions Trophy after Gambhir’s insistence for sure wild card gamers, one could count on him to say extra in future,” the supply added.
India’s Check cricket standing plummeted after Gambhir took up the job final July. India misplaced 0-3 to New Zealand at residence earlier than struggling 1-3 defeat in Australia. Gambhir, chief selector Ajit Agarkar and Laxman have had discussions on attainable methods of reviving India’s pool of gamers for Check cricket.
“One of many essential points recognized is reviving India ‘A’ excursions. There have been solely a handful ‘A’ collection after Dravid left NCA and all of these had been shadow excursions for a marquee collection. Gambhir too believes that there must be extra ‘A’ excursions. That is why he needs to take inventory of the scenario firsthand,” the supply mentioned.
If one goes by the choice tendencies since Gambhir took cost, there are many impulsive calls taken majorly on the horses-for-courses idea. Of late, India’s Check squad has regarded removed from settled. The useful resource pool hasn’t been tried sufficient. As is the follow on shadow excursions, a couple of of the senior group gamers could also be urged to play within the ‘A’ collection in England. Gambhir will probably be taking inventory of the senior gamers’ kind and figuring out attainable backups.
With Rohit Sharma’s Check kind and place within the XI nonetheless underneath scrutiny, focus will probably be on discovering a gradual reserve opener and likewise a stable center order batter. India did not present any confidence in Abhimanyu Easwaran and Sarfaraz Khan within the tour of Australia. Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair will look to impress together with Easwaran and Sarfaraz within the ‘A’ collection.
India’s pace-bowling assets can even be on trial with query marks over Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami’s health to outlive a five-Check tour.
Segregating T20 WC and ODI WC preparation
Gambhir has been advocating having a distinct segment T20 group that will probably be largely picked on kind. TOI understands that he does not wish to combine the ODI and T20I codecs.
India will play about 24 ODIs going into the subsequent World Cup. The coach would like to kind the core of the ODI group as early as attainable. The selectors and Gambhir will should be certain in the event that they see Rohit persevering with as captain until October 2027.
Gambhir has apparently argued that the T20 group is excelling since there’s readability on how the gamers have to strategy the format. Barring a couple of prime gamers, one could count on only a few two format white-ball gamers.
India will co-host the subsequent T20 World Cup with Sri Lanka subsequent yr. This IPL turns into very essential in that sense since Gambhir is a powerful advocate of latest kind.
Get the most recent IPL 2025 updates on Instances of India, together with match schedules, group squads, and dwell scores for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Learn how to look at IPL 2025 in Canada and the USA.
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