Former India opener Gautam Gambhir believes that India will look a completely different unit when the likes of Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja will join them back in the squad for the series against West Indies. However, he is not in favor of rushing Kuldeep Yadav back into the squad despite India’s desperate attempt to find spinners who can provide their wickets in the middle order.
India faced a 3-0 whitewash against South Africa in an ODI series against South Africa last week as the hosts exposed too many holes in the Indian line-up.
India’s next assignment will be the series against West Indies which comprises 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is starting from February 6. Speaking to Star Sports, Gautam Gambhir weighed in his thoughts for India’s roadmap for the World Cup 2023 as he stated that India’s batting order is more or less fixed and it’s a matter of just telling individuals about their roles clearly.
“Obviously Jadeja and Rohit will return. KL Rahul will be back in the middle order. Then India will look a much better team. Now, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant will form the top 5 of the batting line-up. Jadeja will take the No.6 spot. There will be much more depth to the Indian team if you see Shardul at No.7.” Gautam Gambhir said.
As far as fast bowling is concerned, Gambhir thinks that India should persist with Prasidh Krishna and Mohammad Siraj as Jasprit Bumrah is likely to be rested for the series. And they can play as Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar for bowling all-rounder.
“I would want to persist with Prasidh Krishna for sure, irrespective of the conditions. Even Siraj, use these players. If Bumrah is rested for the next series which he should be, then Siraj and Krishna should be used in the West Indies series. And even if they concede a lot of runs, it won’t matter because they need experience. Deepak Chahar should also play. He can be rotated with Thakur,” Gambhir added.
“Kuldeep should play domestic cricket first, then IPL, then we can think about him”- Gautam Gambhir
However, Gambhir warned Indian selectors not to be desperate for Kuldeep Yadav’s return as he is just returning from injury and wouldn’t have any match fitness.
“Not so fast. Because Kuldeep hasn’t been playing cricket that much. He should play domestic cricket, then IPL, then we can think about it. Jadeja and Axar are the options. I would also like to persist with Jayant Yadav. He didn’t perform poorly. He created two opportunities, although both the opportunities were let gone. So Jadeja, Jayant and Chahal can be the three spinners. Axar can be the extra spinner,” he concluded
The first ODI between India and West Indies will be played on February 6 at Ahmedabad.