Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has backed the leadership group of Team India ODI and Test skipper Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir. Clarke said that the team remains in strong hands despite the absence of several senior players who played key roles in India's success over the years.
India recently secured a dominant victory over Afghanistan in the one-off Test at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh. The hosts posted a massive 564/8 in their first innings before bowling Afghanistan out for 152 and 112 to seal an innings-and-300-run win.
You Need the Courage to Back Yourself - Michael Clarke Praises Gautam Gambhir
Speaking to RevSportz, Michael Clarke backed Gautam Gambhir's approach during India's transition phase. The former Australia captain praised the head coach for staying true to his methods and said successful coaches must trust their decisions despite criticism and outside pressure.
"He loves winning - he did as a player as well - and he's very happy doing it the way he thinks is best for his team," Clarke said.
"As a head coach these days, there's a lot of distractions, and same as a captain, there's a lot of criticism that comes your way. I think you need to have the courage to back yourself, back your team, and do it your way, and I think Gambhir is doing that."
Indian Cricket Is in Very Good Hands Under Shubman Gill - Michael Clarke
Michael Clarke was full of praise for Shubman Gill's captaincy and batting after India's dominant win over Afghanistan. The former Australia captain said that Gill is ideally suited to the No. 4 position in Test cricket and has impressed with his tactical decisions on the field.
"His batting is fantastic. I like him at number four; I think that's the right position for him in Test cricket, especially if he's captain," Clarke said.
"I think tactically he's been outstanding... the way he used spin bowling in this Test has been very impressive, and the fields he's set - quite attacking as well. Indian cricket is in very good hands under Shubman."
Gill led from the front with a superb 126 off 177 balls, bringing up his 11th Test century. The 26-year-old now has 2,969 runs in 41 Tests at an average of 44.31, continuing to establish himself as one of India's most important batters in the post-Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli era.
Debutant Manav Suthar Stars in Dominant India Victory
Manav Suthar enjoyed a dream Test debut and played a key role in India's emphatic win over Afghanistan. The left-arm spinner ripped through the Afghanistan batting lineup with six wickets in the first innings and finished with seven wickets in the match. He secured the Player of the Match award.
KL Rahul scored a composed 100 off 165 balls, while captain Shubman Gill contributed a century. Rishabh Pant added a quick-fire 81, and Washington Sundar chipped in with an unbeaten 52 to help India post a massive first-innings total.
With the ball, Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav provided excellent support in the second innings, taking four and three wickets, respectively. Afghanistan struggled against India's spin attack, with Sediqullah Atal's 42 being the highest score of the innings.
