Gautam Gambhir talks up on India’s obsession with fast bowling all-rounders

In the midst of gearing up for the intense Test season, India’s recently hired head coach Gautam Gambhir has offered his opinions on the protracted hunt for a seam-bowling all-round player. Ever since injuries derailed star all-rounder Hardik Pandya’s Test career, India has been searching for a seam-bowling all-round player, especially for international conditions.

In light of the impending obstacles, particularly the Border-Gavaskar Trophy match against Australia, this hunt is becoming more intense. Speaking ahead of the Chennai Test, Gambhir stressed that FC cricket is where seam-bowling all-rounders grow and that international cricket is not a place for such development.

“The key to playing international cricket is for players to show up and perform. We have been complaining about the lack of a fast bowling all-rounder since Kapil Dev, so we can’t just be thinking that if there is no one… We don’t have it if it’s not there. I believe he will progress in first-class cricket if we have it. We possess an extremely robust first-class structure. And maybe soon, we can find someone,” he remarked.

We still possess good all-around players: Gautam Gambhir

The former opener discussed India’s current advantages, especially when it comes to all-round spin bowlers. He believes that India has excellent all-round spin bowlers who can win games for their country.

“But it would be fantastic for Indian cricket if we could find someone quickly. If not, we still have excellent all-around players. We have to oversee someone such as Jadeja, Axar [Patel], and R Ashwin, who has five hundred Test runs under his belt. There’s also Washi [Washington Sundar]. We so have excellent all-around players. Thus, let’s avoid being overly fixated on seam bowling all-rounders when we discuss it,” he continued.

He underlined the need of appreciating India’s distinct position even as he acknowledged the benefits that a seam-bowling all-rounder may provide. He believes that producing players from domestic cricket will benefit the team internationally.

“There aren’t many teams with an all-around spin bowler. India possesses such privilege. Thus, it would be unwise to continue considering seam bowling all-rounder. Now, let’s discuss quality, which is crucial. However, it would be fantastic for Indian cricket if we could acquire and nurture a player in first-class cricket,” the head coach went on.

The coach also gave India’s bowling unit credit for altering the perception of cricket in the nation. Bowlers such as Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj have taken the spotlight away from batting in a country that has always been fixated on it.

Also Read: Gambhir: Having Bumrah in the team’really an honour’

“India used to be a country enthralled with batting. And you have to give credit to Bumrah, [Mohammed] Shami, [Mohammed] Siraj, Ashwin, and Jadeja because they are now transforming this goal into a nation that is obsessed with bowling—not with bowling per se, but with the fact that we began discussing the bowler,” Gambhir said.