(Source X)
Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has offered advice to Indian cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir ahead of the third and final ODI against Sri Lanka on Wednesday, July 7, at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.
With the ODI series between India and Sri Lanka reaching a critical point and the T20 World Cup 2024 winners striving to even the score, there is growing anticipation and pressure regarding the tourists’ strategic approach.
Basit Ali cautions Gautam Gambhir against making experimental changes in the third ODI against Sri Lanka
After the first ODI ended in a dramatic tie, Team India surprised everyone with a reshuffle in their batting order, which led to a 32-run defeat against Sri Lanka in the second ODI in Colombo.
Attention now shifts to the third and final ODI between Sri Lanka and India, with particular focus on the new coach, Gautam Gambhir, who is under intense scrutiny for his experimental tactics, especially concerning the middle order during the series.
Former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali has added to the debate, suggesting that India should abandon experimental strategies and instead reinforce their batting lineup, particularly the middle order, in preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan.
The pressure is mounting, with Basit highlighting that another loss in the final ODI could significantly increase scrutiny on Gambhir and his coaching team. The result of the upcoming match could be pivotal for the Indian cricket team’s coaching staff.
India does not need to experiment: Ali
The former Pakistani cricketer acknowledged that Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are not considered major teams, and a loss or even another tie could adversely affect India’s standing and potentially result in substantial criticism of Gambhir and his strategic choices.
Basit Ali said on his YouTube channel, “I think now India does not need to experiment. Because after the first match was tied, the second match is coming to India. So now there will be a little wake-up call for Gautam Gambhir. Because Gautam is also experimenting on the number 4.”
Ali supported the inclusion of Riyan Parag and Rishabh Pant in the third and final ODI against Sri Lanka, urging Gambhir to refrain from further experimentation. He emphasized that with limited games remaining before the Champions Trophy 2025 and already explosive middle-order batters in the squad, there is no need for additional changes.
Riyan Parag and Rishabh Pant should be given a chance in the third ODI between Sri Lanka and India.
He added, “Now he should not do it. Because if you have a purely middle-order batsman in the form of Riyan Parag or Rishabh Pant. Then you give him a chance. In the future, your series will be from Bangladesh. They are not such a strong team. Because if India draws the final match, then it is well and good. Otherwise, if India loses this match, then the biggest pressure will be on Gautam Gambhir.”
Basit signed off by saying, “Not for the team or Rohit Sharma. The management with Gautam, the coaching department. There will be more pressure on them. Because Asian countries have had this thought for a long time that we have not lost. Winning looks good; losing looks bad. I think now is not the time to experiment. We will see what planning Gautam Gambhir takes tomorrow.”
