Gautam Gambhir is about to take charge as Team India coach from Monday
With much of the buzz around Rohit and Virat Kohli’s retirement and India securing the World Cup after 13 long years, many seem to have forgotten that this would mark the end of Rahul Dravid as team India coach.
The legendary Indian batter, who has played and contributed immensely to India’s success as a player, had been equally stunning as team India coach after he led them to consecutive World Cup finals, one that they lost to Australia in 2023 and the other which they won the last day at Barbados.
With a new Team India coach and his entirely different tactics, there might be quite some changes in Team India’s T20 lineup. Gambhir is often known for his aggressive gameplay and would demand form over fame, which he has often shown while managing franchise teams.
Gambhir is also not afraid to make tough calls and we will find that soon. The departing skipper Rohit Sharma is likely to be replaced by Shubman Gill in Gambhir’s XI, as Gill remains one of the most prestigious cricketers to comply with the role.
Gill and Jaiswal might be India’s first-choice openers, however, Gaikwad will also stand some chance to feature for India under Gambhir. The ex-Knight Riders’ mentor will also look to have quality in the middle order without much change, as Pant, Suryakumar Yadav, and Hardik Pandya remain the assets for the Indian middle order.
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However, players like Shivam Dube or Ravindra Jadeja do not stand much of a chance to be in Gambhir’s XI, rather there are chances of severe rotation in this section, with chances of Rinku making a comeback. Replacing the all-rounder Jadeja, who doesn’t seem fit for the format, might create openings for youngsters like Abhishek Sharma or Riyan Parag, both of whom stand a chance to feature early.
Several young players like Nitish Reddy, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Tushar Deshpande and Dhruv Jurel stand a chance to feature alongside others.
With Bumrah likely leading the pace bowling alongside Arshdeep, India will look to create options in Harshit Rana, Avesh Khan or the very talented Tushar Deshpande. Let’s hope for having a great run under Gambhir as well, so that India may defend their title in the upcoming World Cup, 2 years from now.