Furious Sunil Gavaskar questions India’s dedication under Shubman Gill ahead of Manchester Test

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has lashed out at the selectors and Indian cricket team management, headed by head coach Gautam Gambhir, for not encouraging the out-of-form players and youngsters to play a warm-up match in England after the Lord’s Test.

The Indian cricket team is currently trailing by 1-2 in the ongoing five-match Test series after suffering a 22-run defeat in the third Test against England at Lord’s. Apart from Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Ravindra Jadeja, no batter has shown that fire in the ongoing Test series so far.

Sunil Gavaskar slams India for wasting crucial practice window in England

With a full eight-day break between the Lord's and Manchester Tests, there was a clear window for some of the struggling players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Karun Nair, and young guns on the England tour to get much-needed match practice before the do-or-die fourth Test, starting on July 23.

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However, no such match was arranged, which left Sunil Gavaskar baffled, especially with the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy on the line, as the hosts are just one win away from lifting the trophy. Notably, India has not won a Test series in England since 2007.

Gavaskar felt the players like Jaiswal and Nair, who haven’t found their rhythm so far, could have used this gap to get some time in the middle and regain their mojo. Others like Sai Sudharsan and Abhimanyu Easwaran might have also benefited.

Not having any match practice will only make the guys worry a bit more: Sunil Gavaskar

Gavaskar has pointed out that senior players can use such breaks to rest and recharge, but younger or out-of-form players should have used this window to work on their game and adapt to the challenging overseas conditions.

The legendary cricketer said that the practice matches, even against lesser opposition, could have helped the players regain form and confidence ahead of the crucial Test in Manchester.

Sunil Gavaskar wrote in his column for Mid-Day: “Not having any match practice will only make the guys who have not done well worry a bit more, which doesn’t stand them in good stead. This eight-day gap before the Manchester Test would have been most useful for the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Karun Nair, Sai Sudharsan, and Abhimanyu Easwaran to get some useful batting practice, even if it was a match played against an ordinary team.”

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Sunil Gavaskar worried about India’s backup bowlers

Meanwhile, Sunil Gavaskar shared similar concerns for India’s fast bowlers. Prasidh Krishna had a tough time in the Edgbaston Test, and Arshdeep Singh didn’t get a chance before being ruled out of the Manchester Test due to a finger injury.

The well-known broadcaster felt that players like Kuldeep Yadav, who might be picked for the fifth and final Test, should have played a practice match or taken part in a simulation game.

Gavaskar signed off by saying, “For bowlers like Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, and Prasidh Krishna too, it would have helped to get their run-ups, lines, and lengths going. Imagine if they suddenly have to bowl in a Test match when they haven’t played any cricket for more than a month. To expect them to get going straightaway would be totally unfair on these young and keen cricketers.”