"Gautam Gambhir will be under immense pressure"- Basit Ali issues a massive warning

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has come out with a suggestion for the Indian cricket team's 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.

As the ODI series between India and Sri Lanka heats up with the T20 World Cup 2024 winners aiming to level the series in Colombo on Wednesday, tension is rising over the tourists’ strategy.

Basit Ali warns Gautam Gambhir against experiment in the third ODI against Sri Lanka

With the first match ending in a dramatic tie, Team India stunned one and all with their batting order shuffle, leading them to suffer a 32-run defeat against Sri Lanka in the second ODI in Colombo.

Now, all eyes are now on the third and final ODI between the Islanders and the Men in Blue, while the spotlight is particularly focused on the new coach, Gautam Gambhir, who is facing intense scrutiny for his experimental approach, especially in the middle-order in the ongoing ODI series.

Well, the former Pakistani cricketer has intensified the debate, arguing that Team India should stop experimental tactics and focus on solidifying their batting lineup, especially middle-order, keeping in mind the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan.

The calls for avoiding experiments are growing louder, with Basit pointing out that a potential loss in the final ODI could place enormous pressure on Gautam Gambhir and his coaching staff. The outcome of the third SL vs IND ODI match could be crucial for the Indian cricket team’s coaching staff.

India does not need to experiment: Ali

The former Pakistani cricketer admitted that Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are not big teams, and a loss or even another tie would not only impact India’s standing but could lead to a significant backlash against Gambhir and his strategic decisions.

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 backed Riyan Parag and Rishabh Pant to play in the third and final ODI against Sri Lanka while warning Gambhir to stop experiments as they don’t have many games before the Champions Trophy 2025 and they have already explosive middle-order batters, then there is no need for any experiment.

Riyan Parag and Rishabh Pant must get the opportunity in the third SL vs IND ODI

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.”