Adelaide: In a shocking turnaround Down Under, Team India’s ODI series against Australia has slipped away, thanks to head coach Gautam Gambhir’s unyielding faith in a trio of all-rounders that left star spinner Kuldeep Yadav warming the bench.
With the series lost 0-2 after defeats in Perth and Adelaide, fans are buzzing: Was Gambhir’s strategy a masterstroke or a massive misstep?
Chasing depth in batting amid the absence of pace spearheads Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, Gambhir opted for Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Nitish Kumar Reddy in both matches. The idea? Bolster the lower order. But in reality? The bowling attack was weakened, unable to contain the Aussies. In Adelaide on Thursday, India posted 264/9, only for Australia to chase it down, finishing at 265/8 in 47 overs.
The all-rounders didn’t help India’s cause much: Axar smashed a quick 44 off 41, but Sundar (12 off 14) and Nitish (8 off 10) fizzled. In bowling, the trio leaked 113 runs in 20 overs for just three wickets, with Nitish proving expensive at 24 runs in three overs sans a scalp.
Meanwhile, Kuldeep’s omission stung. Australia’s middle order, including spin-vulnerable Matthew Short (74 off 78), Mitchell Owen (36 off 23), and rookie Cooper Connolly (unbeaten 61 off 53), feasted on India’s spin-light attack. At 187/5, a wrist-spinner like Kuldeep could have spun the game India’s way, especially against Adam Zampa’s match-winning 4-for that dismantled India’s batsmen.
With Shubman Gill’s captaincy under scrutiny and big guns like Virat Kohli failing to fire, Gambhir’s XI selection — no changes despite Perth’s drubbing — has sparked debate. Could prioritising bowling balance have saved the series? Gambhir’s tactics continue to be a hot topic as India prepares for the crucial match.