‘That’s the way cricket is meant to be played’ – Gambhir backs India’s left-right combination

In two of India’s chases against England, they promoted Axar Patel, and that left KL Rahul with little to do

Gambhir Defends Batting Decisions as India Sweeps England 3-0

India clinched a 3-0 ODI series victory over England with a dominant performance, but certain batting decisions raised some eyebrows. Specifically, the promotion of Axar Patel in two chases left KL Rahul with limited opportunities, leading to some commentary and questions regarding the team’s batting order. These decisions are believed to be influenced by head coach Gautam Gambhir’s preference for right-left batting combinations.

Gambhir Defends Axar’s Promotion

• Axar Patel’s Promotion: In two of the chases, Axar Patel was promoted up the order, which led to KL Rahul being sidelined during the innings.
• Gambhir’s Justification: Gambhir strongly defended the move, emphasizing the value of a right-left batting combination in creating more opportunities for success.
  • “That’s the way cricket should be played,” Gambhir stated. “It’s not about the batting order; it’s about who can create an impact.”
  • He further added that Axar’s performances in those situations justified his promotion. “Axar has done fabulously well. He delivered for us in both games, and we will continue to go this route in the future.”

Gambhir’s Preference for Right-Left Combinations

• Right-Left Combinations: Gambhir has long been a proponent of having a mix of right- and left-handed batsmen in the batting order, which he believes disrupts the opposition’s bowling strategy.
  • KKR Example: While mentoring the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Gambhir increased the right-left batting partnerships from 58% in 2022-2023 to 74% in 2024.
  • However, this approach does not penalize KL Rahul, who has delivered consistently for India in the middle order.

KL Rahul’s Role and Wicketkeeping Position

• KL Rahul’s Position: Gambhir emphasized that KL Rahul is India’s No. 1 wicketkeeper and has performed well in that role.
  • “Right now, KL is the one who’s going to start,” Gambhir said when asked about Rishabh Pant’s chances.
  • He noted that having two wicketkeepers in the squad means only one can play, especially given the quality of players available.

Gambhir Explains Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Absence

• Jaiswal’s Introduction: India considered giving Yashasvi Jaiswal, a left-handed batter, an opportunity to play in the ODI series.
  • Shreyas Iyer was initially set to sit out to make way for Jaiswal, but an injury to Virat Kohli allowed Jaiswal to feature and contribute with a match-winning knock.
  • Gambhir clarified that Jaiswal was not permanently benched. “We wanted to give Yashasvi a go in the first game to see what he could bring to the table,” Gambhir explained.

Shreyas Iyer’s Continued Importance

• Shreyas Iyer’s Role: Despite the experiment with Jaiswal, Gambhir confirmed that Shreyas Iyer remains an important part of India’s lineup.
  • “Iyer has been a key player at No. 4 in the World Cup and beyond. He’s always going to be in the scheme of things,” said Gambhir.
  • He further added that rotating players was necessary with the Champions Trophy approaching.

Rotating the Squad for Future Opportunities

• Squad Rotation: Gambhir used the series to experiment with different players in preparation for the upcoming Champions Trophy.
  • For example, Arshdeep Singh was given a chance to play, while Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami were rested.
  • Gambhir emphasized that the limited number of games in the lead-up to the Champions Trophy gave them an opportunity to test different combinations and ensure players like Shreyas Iyer stayed match-fit.

Conclusion

• India’s clean sweep of England was not just a display of batting brilliance but also a reflection of Gautam Gambhir’s strategic vision. Whether it’s promoting Axar Patel or rotating the squad, Gambhir’s approach is centered on creating the best balance and flexibility, especially with the Champions Trophy on the horizon.