Following India's disappointing defeat to England in the first Test at Headingley, Leeds, former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar has urged the Gautam Gambhir-coached side to reassess their approach to practice sessions. Gavaskar specifically targeted the prevalent "optional practice" culture, advocating for a more committed and rigorous training regime.
India suffered a five-wicket defeat, despite posting five centuries in the match. England successfully chased down a target of 371, exposing vulnerabilities in India's batting and fielding. Gavaskar, speaking to Sony Sports, didn't mince words, describing India's fielding as "substandard" and "not of Test match quality," emphasizing that missed chances and extra runs conceded had significantly impacted the outcome. He defended the bowlers, noting the favorable batting conditions but stressed the need for greater intensity and execution in all departments.
Gavaskar acknowledged that while a short break could be beneficial, the team should then "seriously get into practice," advocating for the abandonment of "optional practice" sessions. He argued that representing India demands a complete commitment, stating, "You have come here to play for India. So, you practice in a way so that you will give yourself the best chance."
To illustrate his point, Gavaskar cited Cheteshwar Pujara, known for his relentless dedication to training. He recalled instances where Pujara was questioned by coaching staff for his persistence in attending optional sessions, highlighting Pujara's unwavering work ethic. Gavaskar has long been an advocate for doing away with optional practice sessions. Earlier in the year, he suggested that the decision to take rest days should be made by the coach and captain only.
Gavaskar's criticism extends beyond just fielding. He pinpointed the failure of the lower order to contribute runs and the inability of the bowlers to consistently take wickets as contributing factors to the defeat. England's Ben Duckett's aggressive innings of 149, along with contributions from Zak Crawley and Joe Root, underscored the effectiveness of England's approach, further highlighting the areas where India fell short.
Looking ahead to the second Test at Edgbaston, starting on July 2nd, Gavaskar proposed strategic changes to the team composition. He suggested including wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav in place of Shardul Thakur, anticipating conditions in Birmingham that would favor spin. He also hinted at the potential inclusion of players like Sai Sudharsan, Karun Nair, or Washington Sundar if the current lineup fails to deliver.
Gavaskar's concerns regarding optional practice sessions echo similar sentiments he expressed in the past. He has consistently emphasized the importance of maximizing practice opportunities during overseas tours, advocating for more practice matches between Test matches. He also previously suggested trimming the squad size to ensure that all players get enough game time. Gavaskar believes that such measures would foster a more competitive environment and improve overall team performance.
By urging a shift away from optional practice and advocating for a more focused and demanding approach to training, Gavaskar hopes to instill a greater sense of commitment and discipline within the Indian team, ultimately leading to improved performances and a stronger showing in the remainder of the series.
