Sports

Gautam Gambhir: T20 Cricket Impacting Test Skills

Gautam Gambhir, former cricketer and current coach, has expressed concerns about the impact of T20 cricket on the skills required for Test matches. He believes that the emphasis on aggressive batting has diminished the art of defending in long-form cricket.

According to Gambhir, the rise of T20 formats has led to a shift in player mentality. Instead of focusing on patient, defensive batting, many players now aim to dominate the bowlers. This change has been notably seen in England’s Bazball tactics and India’s recent approach under Gambhir’s coaching.

While Gambhir dismissed claims that his batters struggled against spin, particularly in the recent Test against New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner, he acknowledged a broader issue. “The foundation of your batting in Test cricket has to be defence,” he stated. He emphasized that great players, like Virat Kohli, have consistently excelled in Tests due to their strong defensive skills

Also Read: Australia Men’s Cricket Coach Andrew McDonald Secures Contract Extension Until 2027

Gambhir highlighted the challenges of playing on flatter pitches, common in T20 formats. He stressed the need for players to refine their defensive techniques, noting that as T20 cricket becomes more prevalent, the ability to defend may wane.

Looking to the future, Gautam Gambhir suggested that teams may need to adopt separate squads for different formats. He pointed out that successful Test cricketers must be able to bat for extended periods, effectively defending for several sessions.

“Identifying solid red ball cricketers is crucial,” he said. He believes that hard work over three to four days is essential for Test success. Gambhir acknowledged his team’s struggles against spin in Pune but remained optimistic about their improvement.

“We need to keep getting better at defending,” he stated. He attributed some of the current challenges to players’ tendencies to rely on aggressive shots learned from limited-overs formats.

In conclusion, Gambhir emphasized the importance of refining defensive techniques to adapt to the evolving landscape of cricket. Maintaining a balance between aggression and defence will be vital for success in Test matches as the game progresses.

Shibra Arshad

Recent Posts

AIF Investments In Indian Real Estate Hit ₹74,000 Crore; Highest Among All Sectors

Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) have collectively invested ₹73,903 crore in India’s real estate sector as…

8 mins ago

ISRO Successfully Completes Second Satellite Docking In Spadex Mission

ISRO successfully completed the second satellite docking as part of its Spadex mission, marking a…

41 mins ago

Saudi Business Leader Hani Kayal Welcomes PM Modi’s Visit; Highlights Opportunities For India-Saudi Collaboration

Ahead of PM Modi's visit to Jeddah, Saudi businessman Hani Kayal expressed enthusiasm for the…

1 hour ago

EPFO Adds 16.10 Lakh Net Members In February; Youth & Female Participation On The Rise

EPFO added 16.10 lakh members in February 2025 amid rising jobs and growing youth, women…

1 hour ago

KVIC Records Historic ₹1.70 Lakh Crore Turnover; Boosts Rural Empowerment

KVIC has achieved a historic milestone with its turnover crossing ₹1.70 lakh crore for the…

1 hour ago

Royal Saudi Air Force Escorts PM Modi’s Aircraft As He Heads To Jeddah

F-15 jets of the Royal Saudi Air Force escorted PM Modi’s aircraft over Jeddah airspace…

1 hour ago