Former Pakistani cricketer Ali simple He has submitted a suggestion for the head coach of the Indian cricket team. Gautama 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 Tensions are mounting with the 2024 T20 World Cup winners aiming to level the series in Colombo on Wednesday, and are heightened by the tourists’ strategy.
Basit Ali warns Gautam Gambhir against experiment in third ODI against Sri Lanka
With the first match ending in a dramatic draw, Team India He surprised everyone with his change in batting order, which led them to suffer a 32-run defeat against Sri Lanka in the second ODI in Colombo.
All eyes are now on the third and final ODI between the Islanders and the Men in Blue, with the focus particularly on 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 escalated the debate, arguing that Team India should stop experimental tactics and focus on solidifying its batting line-up, especially the middle order, keeping in mind the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan.
Calls to avoid experiments are growing louder, with Basit pointing out that a possible defeat in the final ODI could put enormous pressure on Gautam Gambhir and his coaching team. The outcome of the third ODI match between SL and IND could be crucial for the Indian cricket team’s coaching staff.
India does not need to experiment, says Ali
The former Pakistani cricketer admitted that Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are not great teams and a defeat or even another draw would not only affect 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 India doesn’t need to experiment now. Because after the first match ended in a draw, 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 with number 4.”
Ali backed Riyan Parag and Rishabh Pant to play in the third and final ODI against Sri Lanka and warned Gambhir to stop experiments as they do not have many games before the 2025 Champions Trophy and they already have explosive middle-order batsmen, then there is no need for any experiments.
Riyan Parag and Rishabh Pant should be given a chance in the third ODI SL vs IND
He added: “Now he shouldn’t do it. Because if you have a purely middle-order batsman like Riyan Parag or Rishabh Pant, then you give him a chance. In future, your series will be Bangladesh. They are not that strong a team. Because if India draws the final match, then it will be okay. Otherwise, if India loses this match, then the biggest pressure will be on Gautam Gambhir.”
Basit concluded by saying, “Not because of the team or Rohit Sharma, but because of Gautam’s management, the coaching department. There will be more pressure on them because Asian countries have been thinking for a long time that we have not lost. Winning seems good, losing seems bad. I think now is not the time to experiment. We will see what Gautam Gambhir plans tomorrow.”
