Gambhir eyes India players’ flexibility, ready for T20I series
New India head coach Gautam Gambhir eyes players’ flexibility as his squad is ready for an upcoming Twenty20 International (T20Is) series.
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GAMBHIR EYES PLAYERS’ FLEXIBILITY IN ALL FORMATS AMID VETERANS’ RETIREMENT
Furthermore, Gambhir eyes players’ flexibility to play in all formats.
This amid the retirement of three of its veterans from the T20I format.
“The more players that can play both formats, the better for the team,” Gambhir said after arriving in Sri Lanka for their upcoming T20I Series.
“Eventually going forward these things happen (transition). But can’t say right now that there are going to be three different teams,” he added.
Moreover, Gambhir acknowledges a transition will happen for the India T20I team.
The retirements of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja changed the complexion of the squad.
The Gambhir-coached India T20I team will be led by captain Suryakumar Yadav as they play three matches on July 27, 28, and 30.
After that, the team will proceed to Colombo for three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) on August 2, 4, and 7.
CHIEF SELECTOR CITES NEED TO ‘FIND THE BEST BALANCE’ ON PICKING T20I, ODI PLAYERS
Moreover, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chief selector Agarkar cited the need to “find the best balance” in picking India’s T20I and ODI players.
“Just to try and find the best balance depending on the format of your player, be it the same players or different. Eventually, you try and pick the best 15,” Agarkar said.
Furthermore, T20I captain Yadav was not discussed for the ODIs due to the return of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer.
“Shreyas is back, KL is back, they had great World Cups,” Agarkar said.
“Rishabh is back as well. So there is some real quality through the middle order,” he added.
Therefore, the chief selector described Yadav as only a “T20I player.”
INDIA COACH LOOKING TO WORK TOGETHER WITH VIRAT KOHLI
Furthermore, the India coach is looking to work together with Kohli.
The former acknowledged having recent chats with the veteran cricketer.
“I have a huge respect for him (Kohli) as a player and it is going to continue. And hopefully, we can work together really well,” Gambhir said.
“The most important thing right now is that we both have got to be working extremely hard to make India proud. And that is our job,” he added.
The coach made the statements after he and Kohli had some tense moments as opponents in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season.
Gambhir described his relationship with Kohli as a bonding “between two mature individuals” and not to be shared in public.
“What kind of relationship do I share with Virat Kohli? I think it is between two mature individuals,” the coach said.
Meanwhile, Gambhir is open to see Kohli and Sharma to play for him with India in the 2027 ODI World Cup.
“One thing I can be very clear of is that both those guys (Kohli and Sharma) have a lot of cricket in them,” the coach said.
“But looking at what Virat and Rohit can deliver. They’re still world-class players and obviously any team would want to have both of them for as long as possible,” he added.
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