Gautam Gambhir holds secret training camp ahead of Bangladesh Tests
Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed head coach of the Indian cricket team, has initiated a confidential training camp in Chennai, as per TOI. The camp is part of the preparation for an upcoming home Test series against Bangladesh, starting on September 19. The focus areas include player readiness following a lengthy break, rotation of pace bowlers, and crucial selection decisions for batting and wicketkeeping positions.
Gambhir's coaching team and training details
Gambhir is being assisted by a dedicated coaching team comprising Morne Morkel (bowling coach), Abhishek Nayar (assistant coach), and Ryan ten Doeschate (fielding coach). The training sessions are being held at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, the venue for the first Test against Bangladesh. The initial day of training involved an extended session where all top-order batters had approximately 30-45 minutes of batting practice.
India's journey toward World Test Championship final
Team India is set to face Bangladesh in their first home series after a long break. The team's performance in this series could impact their chances of securing a spot in the ICC World Test Championship Final slated for June 2025. Following the Bangladesh series, India will host New Zealand for a three-Test series before taking on Australia in five Tests. To qualify for the WTC Final, India needs at least four victories and one draw from these 10 matches.
Gambhir's strategy for pace bowler rotation and selection
Gambhir's strategy for the first five home Tests involves careful rotation of his pace bowlers. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are expected to feature in the match at Chepauk, while Mohammed Shami is on a comeback trail. Once Shami is fit, Bumrah might be rested. It's likely that these three will play three games each before the Australia tour, with left-arm pacer Yash Dayal potentially making his debut if he impresses Morkel and Co. with his swing in practice.
Decisions on batting and wicket-keeping positions
The new coaching staff also faces the challenge of choosing between KL Rahul or Sarfaraz Khan as the No. 5 batter. Another crucial decision involves the wicket-keeper's position, currently held by Rishabh Pant who recently returned to top-flight cricket after a severe accident. The team management must assess whether Pant's body is fully prepared for the rigors of five-day cricket, with Dhruv Jurel being a potential replacement following his impressive debut series against England.
