A new era has dawned in Indian cricket, and Gautam Gambhir, the team’s new head coach, is at the helm. His brief stint with the players in Sri Lanka served as an appetizer, but now the main course is upon them – a Test series at home against Bangladesh, kicking off in just five days. Gambhir, with his trusted coaching staff, comprising Morne Morkel (bowling coach), Abhishek Nayar (assistant coach), and Ryan ten Doeschate (fielding coach), has dived headfirst into the preparation, putting India’s senior players through a rigorous training regimen at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, the venue for the first Test.
The training sessions are shrouded in secrecy, with no media access allowed. Information trickles out in snippets, painting a picture of intense focus and preparation. Gambhir’s emphasis on team unity is evident, as he gathered the entire squad, except Sarfaraz Khan, who is currently playing in the Duleep Trophy. Virat Kohli, having recently flown in from England, was among the first to hit the nets on Friday morning, facing the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, R Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja. The first day of training was a long session, with all the top-order batters getting ample time to get back into the groove after a long break that started after the T20 World Cup win in West Indies in June and continued after a short series in Sri Lanka in early August.
The Bangladesh series, the first for India after a long holiday, is akin to an unseeded opponent in the first round of a Grand Slam. The stakes are high, as a place in the World Test Championship Final in June 2025 is up for grabs. The challenge intensifies with each passing series in this cycle of 10 Tests spread over the next five months. After Bangladesh, who recently defeated Pakistan, India will face New Zealand in a three-Test series at home, followed by a crucial five-Test series against Australia in their backyard.
India’s goal is clear: to qualify for the WTC Final. According to rough calculations, they need four wins and a draw from these 10 games. Gambhir is aiming for a strong start, aiming to secure qualification before the tour Down Under.
For the initial five home Tests, Gambhir’s focus is on rotation among his pace bowlers. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are expected to feature at Chepauk, while Mohammed Shami is making a comeback. Once Shami is fully fit, Bumrah could get a rest. All three are likely to play three games each before the Australia tour. Meanwhile, left-arm pacer Yash Dayal has a chance to make his debut if he impresses Morkel and Co. with his swing during practice. Bengal’s Akash Deep is also in the mix and will likely be tested before a final call is made for the Australia tour.
The new coaching staff also faces a key decision regarding the No. 5 batting position. While Sarfaraz Khan was a success against England earlier this year, KL Rahul’s class is undeniable. Considering the upcoming Australia tour, Rahul’s sound technique against short-pitched bowling could be a valuable asset for the team. Rahul’s versatility as an opener and occasional wicketkeeping duties further enhance his chances.
Another area of concern is the wicketkeeper’s position. Rishabh Pant, undoubtedly the best in the world at the moment, is still recovering from a life-threatening accident. The management will have to assess whether Pant’s body is ready for the rigors of five-day cricket. Dhruv Jurel, who had an impressive debut series against England, is the backup, giving Gambhir a tough choice to make.
Despite his reputation for being a tough taskmaster, Gambhir is known for his merit-based approach. While Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and R Ashwin are likely to be included in the starting eleven for the first Test, their performance will be crucial. Gambhir will have his own plans, and it is up to the players to execute them and maintain the winning momentum that marked the latter part of the Rahul Dravid era.
