NEW CHANDIGARH: Gautam Gambhir rarely drops his intensity, and Friday morning—on the eve of India’s one-off Test against Afghanistan—was no different. The fixture, which sits outside the World Test Championship framework, has the feel of a deliberate effort by the BCCI’s “big brothers” to give Afghanistan exposure to Test cricket against a leading side.
Gambhir’s mindset: urgency, not excuses
For Gambhir, it is also a necessary tune-up as India navigate the next stretch of the WTC cycle, where nine months will define their final standing. Being placed sixth in the WTC points table is, for the head coach, an uncomfortable reality after the momentum of defending the T20 World Cup on his previous assignment just three months earlier.
Gambhir pushes back strongly when the group is labelled as “in transition”. He made the same point in Manchester last year, when he corrected the media’s wording by saying the team was not “in transition” but rather “inexperienced”. On Friday, he cut short another question about transition and replied with a blunt timeline.
“The actual transition happened in England. It’s been nine Test matches. So, it’s not a long phase. We lost two Test matches against South Africa and that hurts. The consistency will be missing because these are young boys,” Gambhir said.
India’s struggles at the back end of the last WTC cycle followed Gambhir taking charge in 2024. The home loss to South Africa last year has further complicated India’s prospects in the current cycle. With qualification now hinging on how India respond, every decision from here will be aimed at reviving their route to the knock-on phase of the WTC race.
A quick turnaround after IPL—and why it matters
That leaves little room for comfort for regular Test players coming off a demanding IPL schedule. Gambhir underlined that the seriousness of Test cricket existed well before the WTC began in 2019, insisting there was no reason this match should be approached any differently.
He also pointed out that this is the first Test since India’s heavy surrender against South Africa, making the contest against Afghanistan a chance to reset standards quickly.
Building options: the fourth spinner, and red-ball preparation
Targeting a fourth-spin role
One clear objective for the team management is to plug gaps in their available options. With an ageing Ravindra Jadeja rested for this match, India are looking for an extra spin option ahead of the two-Test series in Sri Lanka, expected to be played on pitches that could offer assistance to spinners in August.
Harsh Dubey and Manav Suthar—both left-arm spinners—are essentially being assessed here.
- Gambhir said this is “probably the only Test match” where India can examine a player who could become a genuine fourth spinner.
- He noted that after this match, India go to Sri Lanka where the conditions might demand carrying four spinners.
- He added that the game is therefore an “ideal opportunity” to trial someone who could be a longer-term fourth spinner.
- Gambhir suggested that whoever plays on Saturday could fit into the fourth-spin mix after the established trio of Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar.
Why the preparation window is crucial
Captain Shubman Gill and the team management have repeatedly spoken about the short gap before major Test assignments. Gill has even asked for a 15-day preparation window ahead of a Test series. Gambhir acknowledged that India have been given that window before the Sri Lanka tour—but the sequence of fixtures leading into other series remains demanding.
He explained that the two Tests in New Zealand come immediately after a five-match T20I and a five-match ODI stretch. Gambhir said India will have to withdraw some ODI players who are part of the Test group to manage that tight scheduling.
“We’re very fortunate that we’ve got enough time before the Sri Lanka series after the England tour. That’s enough time to prepare for those two Test matches. In New Zealand, there are only three days between the last ODI and the first Test match. We will have to pull out ODI players who are part of the Test squad,” Gambhir said.
He also linked India’s earlier shortcomings to a lack of preparation in red-ball cricket. Gambhir said the team has recognized the need to improve in that area, specifically referencing the gaps felt against West Indies and South Africa.
“We’ve realized that we need to start preparing better in red-ball cricket and that was something which was lacking against West Indies and also against South Africa. And that is something which we’re going to do going forward,” he added.
Batting plans: extended faith at No. 3
Gambhir also spoke about India’s approach to settling the batting order, particularly the No. 3 position. He said the team wants to give a longer run to identify a more definite solution there. While there have been concerns about Sudharsan’s performances, Gambhir indicated the management may continue to back him instead of switching to Devdutt Padikkal.
- Gambhir said he believes players should be given a fair run rather than judged too quickly.
- He defended Sudharsan’s current standing by pointing to his IPL output—“He’s got 700 runs in IPL.”
- He argued that judging by only four or five Tests would prevent the team from building something sustainable.
- He reiterated that when Devdutt’s time comes, he too will receive a fair opportunity.
“I’ve always believed we give the players a fair run. Sai is not in bad form. He’s got 700 runs in IPL. If we judge players by only four or five Tests, then I feel that we will never be able to build something. Whenever Devdutt’s time comes, we'll give him a fair run as well,” Gambhir said.
