Former India batting coach Abhishek Nayar feels the team management should have given greater importance to red-ball preparation for players involved in both formats ahead of the two-Test series against New Zealand, which he believes is a significant assignment for head coach Gautam Gambhir and Indian cricket.
Reacting to India’s decision to split the squads for the five-match ODI series, Nayar said players such as Shubman Gill and KL Rahul could have used more time to prepare for the Tests after India’s earlier series defeat to New Zealand at home.
The former batting coach said that loss still rankled with Indian fans and felt the upcoming Test series offered India a chance to respond.
“New Zealand came to India, they beat us in the Test series, and that hurt me a little, as it did the rest of our fans too. So, it’s a big series. There should be a balance in life. World Cup is important, but there is some time for that. This Test series, for me, is a decisive one for Gautam Gambhir and Indian fans.
“So, I would have liked players like KL Rahul and Shubman Gill, who are playing both formats, to focus only on Test cricket. Because now you have to prepare for the ODIs and, after that, the Tests. So, I would rather have given them one or two months to go and practise with the red ball. Just like they beat us here in India, we should beat them there,” Nayar told JioStar.
India will have two captains during the ODI series. Gill will lead the side in the first three matches, while Shreyas Iyer will take charge for the final two. Gill and Rahul are expected to leave the ODI squad after the third game and turn their attention to the Test series.
Nayar also discussed Yashasvi Jaiswal’s omission from the ODI squad, saying the left-handed opener could have been advised to play domestic cricket and work on his red-ball game ahead of the Tests.
“I know that the communication must have taken place with Yashasvi that, ‘Look, we are not picking you because Rohit Sharma is anyway going to open with Shubman Gill. So, rather than sitting out, you prepare for New Zealand and play the Ranji Trophy, because that gives you a better chance of coming good in the Test series and helping Team India win,” he added.
Jaiswal has not been included in either of the ODI squads as India look to manage their commitments in the two formats. The split selection has also opened the door for several players to feature in the last two matches, when Iyer will lead a new-look side.