Under Rohit Sharma’s leadership, the Indian team faced a humiliating 0-3 defeat in the Test series against New Zealand. This marks the first time India has been clean swept in a Test series of three or more matches on home soil. Furthermore, it is the first time in 24 years that Team India has been completely defeated in a Test series at home; the last occurrence was in 2000 when South Africa clean swept them in a two-match series.
BCCI Keeps a Close Eye on Gambhir’s Performance
In the wake of this embarrassing defeat, head coach Gautam Gambhir is also under scrutiny. Gambhir took over the role with much fanfare about four months ago, but the loss in the Test series has put him under significant pressure. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had specially allowed Gambhir to participate in the selection committee meeting for the Australia tour. However, early reports indicate that things are not looking good for him.
It seems that his input on team selection issues may not receive much consideration moving forward. Since Gambhir took charge, India lost their first ODI series against Sri Lanka in 27 years, followed by New Zealand sweeping India 3-0 on Sunday. Questions are now being raised about the necessity of playing on a turning pitch in Mumbai, especially given that the top order has consistently failed against quality spin bowling in recent years.
Gambhir was afforded privileges that were not available to former coaches Ravi Shastri and Rahul Dravid. According to BCCI’s rulebook, the head coach is not allowed to be part of selection committee meetings, but this rule was set aside for Gambhir’s sake in light of the upcoming tour to Australia. A source from the BCCI told the news agency PTI, “Given the seriousness of the tour, the head coach was allowed to participate.”
Was Sending Siraj as Nightwatchman the Right Move?
Gambhir’s philosophy of maintaining a consistent approach regardless of circumstances is something even those involved in Indian cricket struggle to comprehend. Sending Mohammad Siraj as a nightwatchman in the Mumbai Test and batting Sarfaraz Khan at number eight in the first innings are strategic decisions that are being questioned.
At least two players—fast bowler Harshit Rana and all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy—were included in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad at the head coach’s recommendation. However, Rana did not get the opportunity to debut during the home series against Sri Lanka or Bangladesh. There were reports that he was released before the last match due to illness, but within a week he was back bowling in the nets in Bengaluru, and he performed well in the Ranji Trophy against Assam.
Had Rana been sent with the India-A team to Australia, he could have gained experience playing on bouncy pitches in preparation for the upcoming Test series. Instead, he was included as a net bowler in the series against New Zealand, where two of the three pitches were rank turners. As for Nitish, he struggled against short balls in the match against Australia-A, and his bowling form has not looked promising. Gambhir believed that he could be an ideal replacement for Hardik Pandya as a fast-bowling all-rounder. Now, the Australia series will be a litmus test for Gambhir, and the board is watching him closely from the sidelines.
