New Delhi. The unprecedented defeats in the series against Sri Lanka and New Zealand have put Gautam Gambhir under immense pressure, barely three months after being appointed as the head coach of the Indian team. Gambhir was appointed as the coach of the national team with much fanfare. Along with this, he was also included in the meeting of the selection committee for the tour of Australia. His initial report card with the national team clearly shows that things are not looking good for the former India opener.
Gambhir has also been given a lot of freedom in team selection matters and if there is no major improvement in the team’s performance during the Australia tour, then he will not be able to play an important role in team related issues in the future. Soon after Gambhir took charge, India lost an ODI series to Sri Lanka for the first time in 27 years and then New Zealand whitewashed his team 3-0 in the home Test on Sunday. India had never before been swept in a series of three or more matches.
The coach can only plan with the team, but despite knowing the weakness of the Indian batsmen against the spinners, questions are being raised on him for selecting a pitch that completely favors the spinners in Mumbai. Gambhir wants the same attitude from the players in every situation, which is difficult to understand even for people closely associated with Indian cricket. The agreement to send fast bowler Mohammed Siraj as the night watchman on the second evening of the third Test against New Zealand in Mumbai and sending Sarfaraz Khan at number eight in the first innings are some of the strategic steps on which everyone is raising questions.
A BCCI source said on the condition of confidentiality, “Gautam Gambhir was given such authority which his predecessors Ravi Shastri and Rahul Dravid did not have. BCCI rules do not allow coaches to be part of the selection committee meetings, but there was an exception for the selection meeting of the Australia tour.” He said, “Considering the importance of the tour, the head coach was allowed to participate in it.”
Delhi and KKR fast bowler Rishishat Rana and Andhra and SRH all-rounder Nitish Reddy are among the two players who have been selected in the team for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on the demand of the head coach. The Australia series will be a tough test for Gambhir as he may have to defend some veteran players and show them a mirror as the board is keeping a close eye on him.