Gautam Gambhir has been in the buzz since he won the IPL 2024 with his former team, the Kolkata Knight Riders, as their mentor. He was hence appointed the successor to departing Indian head coach Rahul Dravid, and Gambhir has been anticipated by cricket legends as one of the finest ever reactors in the modern game.
Among several tasks left with the Indian team, Gautam Gambhir’s priority will be to have the best of teams across all formats. As per reports, the ex-KKR mentor has already asked for different teams in different formats, and even the BCCI has agreed to the same.
Let’s have a look at who the probable superstars of the Indian team are who might see a change in fortune under the new head coach.
5 Players Indian coach Gambhir might look to use differently
KL Rahul
The LSG skipper was earlier dropped from Tests and was seen representing India only in white-ball cricket. However, owing to his weak performance, he was not a part of the team that played for India in the T20 World Cup.
Gautam might see Rahul as a great asset in the ODI format and will be looking to use his expertise in the longest format of the game as well. Hence, Rahul can be expected to never be seen in the shortest format for India, as the format often demands more younger players.
Shreyas Iyer
India’s most static young performer was denied an annual contract by the BCCI earlier this year; however, under the ex-KKR mentor, Iyer might be seen representing the men in blue across all three formats. Iyer, who has immense potential in white-ball cricket, lost his place in the T20 team despite winning the IPL trophy.
However, with his experience, Iyer might make his way into the shortest format soon under Gambhir. He is a constant for India in ODIs and has shown his caliber in the longest format of the game. Especially if Kohli discontinues test cricket, he will be the ideal player to replace him at No. 4.
Rishabh Pant
India’s soon-to-be all-format hero was chosen for all formats until his injury ruled him out. After his return, he was soon selected to feature in the T20 World Cup and was an inevitable part of the World Cup-winning squad.
Pant might be called back to feature for the Men in Blue across all formats, as in T20s and tests, India does not have many options other than the left-handed wicketkeeper batter. Pant might be doubted in the ODI format, as KL Rahul has shown some great resolve at No. 5, and Gambhir would not look to have the young wk-bat so early in the ODI format, especially marking that he needs to revive form after his not-so-worthy performance in the T20 World Cup.
Suryakumar Yadav
SKY was the man of the moment for India in the final of the T20 World Cup. Though the wicket of David Miller went into the bag of Pandya, it was the solo work of the Mumbai batter on the boundary line that changed India’s fortunes.
However, the man has only been stunning in the shortest format of the game, as he is now India’s official third-highest scorer in the format. Experimented in ODI and Test formats, Gambhir might not be including the Mumbai Indians star in those two formats, while he will be seen playing a few T20 World Cups for the Men in Blue.
Hardik Pandya
From woes all around India to emerging as their World Cup hero, this man has seen it all. Yes, none other than Hardik Pandya is largely considered India’s best prospect for the future in white-ball cricket.
Pandya might also be replacing World Cup-winning skipper Rohit Sharma as the next skipper of the Indian team before the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2026. The brilliant all-rounder has been an ace performer for India with both bat and ball.
After being ruled out of the CWC 2023, India faced immense concern over his position, and hence Gambhir would like to give him some time off whenever he needs it, though foreseeing him as an all-format cricketer for India and also looking to project him as a pace bowling all-rounder and recalling him in tests.
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