In spite of the Leeds catastrophe, Gautam Gambhir supports pacers: Constructing a future battery


India head coach Gautam Gambhir has strongly defended the inexperienced Indian pace attack after the team's disappointing performance in the Leeds Test, where England chased down a challenging 371-run target with ease. With only Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj offering resistance, the rest of the bowlers—Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, and Arshdeep Singh—struggled to make an impact.

Gambhir urged patience from both fans and critics, highlighting the limited Test experience of the younger bowlers. He pointed out that Prasidh has played just four Tests, Harshit two, and Arshdeep is yet to debut in the format. Comparing Test cricket in England and Australia to being “thrown into the sea,” Gambhir stressed that judging these bowlers after every Test would be unfair and counterproductive.

He emphasized that these players have exceptional potential, and the focus should be on building a long-term pace battery rather than expecting immediate results. Gambhir acknowledged that while Prasidh had a poor outing—leaking runs at over 6 an over—the team management remains confident in the group, including bench options like Akash Deep and Arshdeep, who might get opportunities in the remaining matches.

Responding to criticism over Shardul Thakur's limited bowling role in the Test, Gambhir explained that it was a matter of captain’s instinct. With Ravindra Jadeja offering control from one end, the captain chose to rotate the three frontline pacers rather than use Shardul extensively. He defended the decision as tactical, not personal, noting Shardul's proven record in overseas conditions.

Overall, Gambhir’s remarks suggest a long-term vision for Indian Test cricket, prioritizing the development of fresh talent even in challenging environments like England. He acknowledged the current flaws but made it clear that the young pacers are in the squad for a reason—they have quality, and they will get better with time and backing.


 

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