The recent Test match between India and England has sparked discussions about the strategies employed by the Indian team management, particularly the roles of head coach Gautam Gambhir and the new Test captain, Shubman Gill. After England's strong fightback on Day 2, former India captain Sourav Ganguly has weighed in, raising questions about the pre-game planning and its execution.
India entered the series with a relatively inexperienced squad, especially with the absence of veterans like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin. This placed immense pressure on Gill, the youngest Indian Test captain since Sachin Tendulkar, and Gambhir, who is still new to the role of head coach, to forge a cohesive unit capable of performing under pressure in English conditions.
Ganguly has emphasized the importance of managing Jasprit Bumrah's workload effectively throughout the series. Bumrah, India's premier fast bowler, is unlikely to play all five matches due to concerns about his fitness, as instructed by the BCCI medical team. Ganguly suggested that Bumrah should be rested after the second Test but must be available for the crucial fourth and fifth matches. He advised Gill not to "bowl Bumrah into the ground" but to use him in short, impactful spells as a wicket-taking option. Ganguly stressed the need for other bowlers like Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj to step up and support Bumrah.
However, the primary focus of Ganguly's critique seems to be on the overall strategy and the missed opportunity to capitalize on their strengths. After India were bowled out for 471 following a strong opening day where they reached 359/3, England responded strongly, ending day 2 at 209/3. Ollie Pope's century lifted England. Jasprit Bumrah took 3 wickets, however, a no-ball robbed India of a fourth wicket. Ganguly's comment, "They won't get this opportunity again," suggests a concern that the initial advantage was not leveraged effectively, and the team might have squandered a chance to seize control of the match.
The composition of the playing XI and the utilization of resources have also come under scrutiny. Some experts have suggested that India should consider playing four fast bowlers and focus on taking 20 wickets, even if it means extending the tail. The decision to include certain players, like Shardul Thakur or Nitish Reddy, has been questioned, with a preference for specialist bowlers who can consistently take wickets.
Monty Panesar, the former England spinner, added another dimension to the discussion, suggesting that this series is a major test of Gautam Gambhir's credentials as a red-ball coach. Panesar believes that Gambhir, more than Gill, will be in the spotlight, and his ability to guide the inexperienced squad through challenging conditions will be crucial.
As the Test series progresses, the spotlight will be on Gambhir and Gill to see how they adapt their strategies and respond to the pressure. The management of Bumrah's workload, the composition of the bowling attack, and the tactical decisions made during crucial moments will determine India's chances of success in the series.
