Former assistant coach Abhishek Nayar believes that the upcoming two-match Test series against is critical for the Indian cricket team.
He argues that the team management should have prioritized red-ball preparation for players participating in both formats. This series is particularly significant for head coach Gautam Gambhir and Indian cricket fans.
Nayar commented on the decision to split the Indian squad for the five-match ODI series, suggesting that players like Shubman Gill and KL Rahul would benefit from more time focusing on red-ball cricket. His remarks come in light of India’s recent defeat to New Zealand in a Test series.
He acknowledged that the memory of India’s loss on home soil to New Zealand remains a painful reminder for the team. Nayar insists that the Indian squad must approach the upcoming series with the same intensity and aggression, seeking to avenge that loss.
In an interview with GeoStar, Nayar stated, “New Zealand came to India and defeated us in the Test series. That hurt me and our fans. This is why this series is so important. There needs to be balance in life. The World Cup is significant, but that’s still some time away. In my opinion, this Test series is crucial for Gautam Gambhir and Indian fans.”
He further expressed that players like KL Rahul and Shubman Gill, who are involved in both formats, should focus solely on Test cricket. He emphasized the need for them to have dedicated time for red-ball practice before the ODIs, suggesting they should have been given one to two months to prepare.
India’s ODI team will feature different captains for the series. Shubman Gill will lead the side in the first three matches, while Shreyas Iyer will take charge in the final two. After the third match, Gill and Rahul will step back from the ODI squad to prepare for the Test series. Nayar also voiced his thoughts on the exclusion of Yashasvi Jaiswal from the ODI team, suggesting that the left-handed opener could have used this opportunity to strengthen his red-ball skills through domestic cricket.
Nayar remarked, “I’m sure Yashasvi was informed that he wasn’t selected because Rohit Sharma will open with Shubman Gill. Instead of sitting out, he should prepare for the New Zealand tour and play in the Ranji Trophy, as this will help him perform well in the Test series and contribute to India’s success.”
The ODI squad for the first three matches includes: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Axar Patel, Naman Dheer, Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Barar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy (only for the first ODI), and Aqib Nabi.
For the fourth and fifth matches, the squad will be: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper and vice-captain), Axar Patel, Naman Dheer, Aqib Nabi, Gurnoor Barar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Kumar Kushagra (wicketkeeper), Mohammed Siraj, Yash Thakur, and Kuldeep Yadav.