Former Indian batter and analyst Mohammad Kaif has asserted that the Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir would be the best candidate to address India’s batting concerns against spinners in the red-ball format.
While Indian batters failed to create an impact against South African spinners last year at home, they did comparatively well against Sri Lankan spinners earlier this year. While speaking to Cricbuzz, Kaif revealed how Gambhir backs his players.
“If he has identified a player, and has made up his mind about playing him, then he will back that player right till the very end. Even when he was Ranji captain, he backed a lot of young players. Even when the entire DDCA was against him, he used to say that he is the captain and he will play that player. There are so many players like this,” Mohammad Kaif said on Cricbuzz.
“Even if he is wrong or right, and you can debate about that all you want, on whether he is a nice guy or who he is, including or not including. That is a different topic, but if he has made up his mind about a player, that player will be backed. The way our batters are getting out to spin in Test cricket these days, there is no one better than Gautam who can guide these youngsters,” he added.
It’s important to note that Gambhir faced severe flak after having more all-rounders in the Indian team. Interestingly, India went with batters till No. 8 in the fourth T20I against the West Indies in Hyderabad, but couldn’t chase down the 248-run target.
“These bowlers are our bowlers, not someone else’s bowlers. Their careers are at stake, they have worked hard to sit in this dressing room. If it’s an even competition, we’ll see a better game of cricket,” Gambhir said during the post-match press conference.
