Gambhir’s Gambit: Transforming India’s cricketing dynasty with uncharted all-round brilliance
One of cricket’s most cerebral masterminds dished out an idiosyncratic recipe in his first assignment as head coach, potentially paving the way for a monumental shift in Indian cricket.
Freshly-instated head coach of the Indian team, Gautam Gambhir, may lack extensive coaching experience and a substantial resumé - indeed, he has never previously held a coaching position, a fact that is indisputable and open to all. However, what sets Gambhir apart from his predecessors within the Indian setup is his exceptional willingness to embrace risk and his unwavering commitment to his principles. This characteristic has been consistently evident, whether through his audacious innings during his international career, his tenure as captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League, or his forthright remarks in press conferences and podcasts on a range of cricket-related and broader issues.
Before the T20I series against Sri Lanka, the atmosphere within the camp was one of buoyant optimism. And why wouldn’t it be? After all, India was basking in the afterglow of their T20 World Cup triumph in the Americas - a victory destined to be celebrated for generations. Nevertheless, a persistent concern continued to occupy everyone’s thoughts: the enigma of the sixth bowling option, coupled with the sporadic use of part-timers in international fixtures, even in seemingly inconsequential dead-rubbers in various bilateral series. While other teams had long since addressed and resolved this issue, it remained to be seen whether any significant alterations would occur under Gambhir’s stewardship.
Fast-forward to the third T20I of the series, and not only did Gambhir & Co. achieve a spectacular start, culminating in a decisive whitewash of the Sri Lankans, but the previously mentioned issue was also effectively valved up grandly. With Khaleel and Siraj each having one over left to defend as the Lankans sought nine runs to salvage a consolation win, Gambhir, through Rishabh Pant - who was rested for the game - delivered a message via the wicketkeeper-batter.
What followed was a remarkable turn of events: Rinku Singh, who had bowled in only six of the 134 T20s he had played up to that point, was introduced into the attack. The outcome? Three runs were conceded and two crucial wickets were taken, one being of the potent Kusal Perera. With the match still delicately poised, it was expected that the more economical pacer, Siraj, would take on the task of defending six runs in the final over. However, viewers were in for an unexpected twist when the ball was placed in the hands of Suryakumar Yadav. Instead of consulting with another bowler about field placements, Surya took it upon himself to bowl the final over. While Rinku’s bowling percentage in T20s was already minimal, Surya's was almost non-existent, having bowled in only 11 of the 292 matches he had participated in.
Six deliveries later, which felt interminable due to the numerous stoppages after each ball for discussions about field placements among the perspiring Indian team and the batters - two of whom had been dismissed, granting Surya a valuable couple of wickets to store in his kitty, culminated in a breathtaking finish which resulted in the match going to the Super Over. Rinku and Surya had achieved the improbable, a feat that even seasoned bowlers would look back on with pride and nostalgia.
The Super Over itself proved to be a surprising development, though not quite as astonishing as the earlier events. While more conventional coaches might have opted for a pacer expected to deliver a blend of precise yorkers, deceptive slower balls, and back-of-the-length variations, Gambhir made a daring choice by selecting all-rounder, Washington Sundar, who was interestingly playing his first game of the series. This audacious decision bore fruit as Sundar conceded just two runs, skillfully varying his bowling to dismiss two Lankan batters while restricting the team to a mere two runs. The captain then sealed the victory with a flourish, bestowing a well-deserved victory to the elated visitors.
Just a day before the exhilarating match, the squad, including luminaries such as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, was slated to participate in their initial practice session ahead of the ODIs. Regrettably, this session was called off due to persistent rain in the late afternoon. However, today’s events have provided a glimpse into Gambhir's ingenious approach. Shreyas Iyer was observed delivering a series of off-spinners during a prolonged net session, signalling a potential shift in strategy.
With Riyan Parag’s all-rounder role gaining prominence, evidenced by his performance (3/62 in 9.2 overs) and the substantial opportunities he received to bowl during the 20-over leg, it appears Gambhir is crafting a distinctive prototype for the future. This approach may see more batters taking on additional bowling responsibilities in critical situations, akin to how bowlers have historically contributed crucial knocks in times of dire need. The future seems as promising and radiant as Gambhir's beaming smile when Rinku dashed halfway to the dugout after claiming his first of two wickets in the third and final T20I.
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