India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, is focused on finding a replacement for Rohit Sharma, the current Test captain, while also strengthening the team’s middle order for the future. Despite India’s recent Champions Trophy victory under Gambhir’s leadership, the Test team has faced a decline in performance over the past few months, and the coach is determined to turn things around.
As part of his strategy, Gambhir plans to accompany the India A team on their tour to England to closely evaluate domestic players who could be potential candidates for the Test squad. Identifying a suitable replacement for Rohit Sharma remains one of his top priorities.
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Gautam Gambhir set to find Rohit Sharma’s replacement
With Rohit Sharma struggling in Test cricket, Gambhir is reportedly looking for a reliable reserve opener who can step in if needed. While Rohit is expected to lead the team in the upcoming Test series in England, his recent form has raised concerns. In his last three Tests, Rohit managed only 31 runs at an average of 6.20, and he even dropped himself from the final Test in Sydney due to poor performance.
Prior to the Australia tour, Rohit had a tough home Test season, scoring just 133 runs in five matches against Bangladesh and New Zealand, averaging 13.30. His inconsistent performances have sparked speculation about his future in the Test format.
Focus on the middle order
Gambhir is also prioritizing the development of a strong middle-order batter to stabilize the innings and prevent collapses, which have plagued the team recently. Despite the batting lineup’s struggles, players like Abhimanyu Easwaran and Sarfaraz Khan were overlooked during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Both are expected to feature in the India A squad for the England tour, aiming to earn a spot in the senior team.
Other domestic talents like Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair are also in contention. Sudharsan has been consistent in domestic cricket over the past few years, while Nair had a standout season across all formats last year. The lack of a dependable middle-order batter has been a significant issue, with the team struggling against both pace and spin bowling.
When will India’s tour of England begin?
India’s five-match Test series in England will kick off on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds, marking the start of the new World Test Championship cycle for both teams. The India A tour to England prior to the series could influence the selection of the senior squad. All eyes will be on senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who have been going through a rough patch with the bat.
