Gautam Gambhir's Test Debut: 3 Crucial Goals to Achieve Against Bangladesh

Gautam Gambhir [X]Gautam Gambhir [X]

India is all set to take on Bangladesh in the first of the two-match Test series. The match is to be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai from September 19 to September 23. This match will mark the Test debut of Gautam Gambhir as India’s Head Coach. During this two-match series, here are three things that he will look to work on - 

1.Strengthening India’s Lead in the WTC Points Table

This series will be of particular significance to India and Bangladesh from the WTC points table perspective. As for India, they currently sit at the top of the points table and have a PCT rating gap of about 6 points, compared to Australia, who are second.

Gambhir’s primary target is to win both matches in this series and solidify their position at the top. In this WTC cycle, India will face New Zealand at home and Australia and England away. The assignments for India will gradually get tougher. So, a convincing show in the next two series will give them the headway for a qualification in their third consecutive WTC final.

2. Crafting a Balanced Team Composition for Success

The Bangladesh series will herald the start of a challenging Test season for Team India. Before they face formidable opponents like New Zealand, Australia, and England, Gambhir is keen to establish a balanced team composition. With players like KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, and Dhurv Jurel vying for spots in the middle order, the two matches against Bangladesh are eagerly awaited as they might help Gambhir solve this crucial puzzle.

Besides finding the perfect fits in the middle order, the job of India’s coach will also be to increase bench strength. Players like KL Rahul have been prone to injury, and India will also try to manoeuvre the workload management of the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, etc. Thus, another of Gambhir's tasks is to keep the players on the bench mentally and physically ready to grab an opportunity whenever it is presented.

3. Identifying a Strike Bowler to Support Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah is a very valuable entity of Indian cricket at present. The ace pacer can emerge as a match-winner in any format of the game at any stage. But his injury proneness makes him a ‘handle with care’ property. Hence, India will look to keep him ready and fit for the upcoming important series and tournaments.

Thus, India's biggest challenge will be managing Bumrah and knowing where to use him. The management cannot risk the over-exhaustion of India’s most significant bowling weapon. Hence, the Bangladesh series will allow Gambhir to look for one or more alternative pacers who can stand up and deliver consistently for the team under pressure.

Establishing a Strong Coaching Era

Gautam Gambhir’s era as India's head coach began with the limited-overs series against Sri Lanka. Even though his new tactics and out-of-the-box thinking were impressive, the results did not speak in his favour. So, the Bangladesh series will give Gambhir the chance to firm his presence as the Head Coach of India by urging his players to put on a convincing display and dominate the opposition.