Gautam Gambhir Faces Criticism Over Pitch Decisions, Draws Comparison to Rahul Dravid
In contrast, Gambhir’s pitches were criticized for providing excessive turn even on the first day, which could disadvantage batsmen, especially those not accustomed to playing on such tracks.
Gautam Gambhir’s decision to bring back rank-turners for India's recent home Test series against New Zealand has sparked controversy, with many questioning his coaching choices. India suffered a historic 3-0 clean sweep, marking their first-ever home Test series loss in 12 years, and Gambhir's insistence on using pitches that offer excessive turn from the start of the match is being scrutinized as a key factor.
Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali criticized Gambhir’s approach, drawing comparisons with the more measured strategies of his predecessor, Rahul Dravid. Ali argued that Dravid's approach to preparing pitches was more effective, focusing on surfaces that allowed for gradual turn over the course of a match, ensuring fairness for both the bowlers and the batsmen. In contrast, Gambhir’s pitches were criticized for providing excessive turn even on the first day, which could disadvantage batsmen, especially those not accustomed to playing on such tracks.
Ali also questioned Gambhir’s psychological understanding of players, contrasting him with Dravid's more nuanced approach. He cited Dravid’s ability to understand and manage the mindset of players like Virat Kohli, particularly in formats like Test cricket. According to Ali, pushing players to adapt to an aggressive, T20-style approach in Tests, as Gambhir has done, could be detrimental.
As India prepares for the challenging five-match Test series in Australia, Gambhir’s leadership and his team’s performance—especially from senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma—will come under scrutiny. The series Down Under will be crucial in determining whether Gambhir’s philosophy can lead India to success.
