Former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan has expressed his concerns that a “far too flexible” batting strategy by the senior men’s team may lead to insecurity among the players. Even though he acknowledged the need for adaptability in modern cricket, Zaheer said that there should be some structure and communication to achieve stability in the squad. Speaking on Cricbuzz, Zaheer Khan explained that while flexibility is essential, it should not come at the cost of creating uncertainty among players.
“You’ve said that you’ve got to have flexibility. Numbers one and two will be there, but the others are going to be flexible. Within that flexibility, some rules also apply,” he stated. “There are some protocols you need to follow. Some communication needs to be done, and it is all going to fall into place. Otherwise, you are creating insecurity, which at some stage is going to come back and bite you.”
Zaheer Khan believed that a systematized process would help the team run fluidly and move with the trends of contemporary cricket. Comparing the contrasting coaching philosophies of Rahul Dravid and Gautam Gambhir, he noted that adapting to the current situation is key.
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“Recency bias is very strong right now. The situation has become dynamic. You can say it’s good, bad, or ugly—or you can say, how do we adapt? Each individual, whether it’s the senior management, the think tank, players, or selectors, will have to gauge it and streamline the system for the wheel to turn properly,” he explained.
Gautam Gambhir and his support staff will face their biggest challenge when India is scheduled to go to Dubai for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. In Gambhir’s tenure, he has seen much positivity in the T20I setup, while the ODI and Test teams have not had much consistency on the field. It raises questions about his long-term strategy.
Another concern India has to face ahead of the Champions Trophy is whether star pacer Jasprit Bumrah will be fit in time for the tournament. If Bumrah is ruled out, it would be a big blow to India’s bowling attack as the team would have to search for a worthy replacement.
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The ICC event to be held might well define Gambhir’s legacy as head coach, but before that, India will look to seal a series sweep against England in the third and final ODI in Ahmedabad. A dominant performance could provide a much-needed boost in confidence ahead of their preparations for the Champions Trophy.
