As India’s training session at Eden Gardens on Monday meandered along, Axar Patel went to one of the centre pitches and went hammer and tongs. He is India’s new vice-captain in the T20 format and to start with, the team atmosphere here has been visibly more relaxed.
Given the outpouring of leaks, a question on the team’s support staff was inevitable at the press conference. Their role was called into question during and after the Australia series. The same group of support staff are part of the white-ball set up also. Is there a communication gap?
Axar confirmed clarity. “The communication is very clear between players and support staff (in T20I set-up),” he told reporters. “I wasn’t with the team for the last two-and-a-half months. So, I don’t have much idea about what was going on in Australia. But it’s the same support staff (here). We just have the inputs that are required from the batting coach (and) bowling coach. T20 is a fast-paced format and it’s about making correct decisions. So we discuss that only; what role do I have to play.”
Readers are allowed to read between the lines here. The T20 side, unlike the Test and/or ODI teams, doesn’t have the galacticos. And maybe, this is working to the advantage of the head coach Gautam Gambhir.
The big news in Indian cricket at the moment is Mohammed Shami’s return to the fold. The 34-year-old fast bowler is coming back to international cricket after a gap of 14 months. He bowled in three phases at the nets yesterday. Today, he didn’t bowl at all. Workload management is important for a player who is still turning up with a heavily-strapped left knee, although it’s just a precautionary measure. From India’s point of view, it’s important that Shami regains his match sharpness quickly. There’s a question mark over Jasprit Bumrah’s availability for the Champions Trophy and Shami brings on a truck-load of class and experience with him.
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No wonder that Axar, who celebrated his 31st birthday today, spoke about Shami in glowing terms. “Shami returning is a big positive,” said the vice-captain. “He was very good in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy. We know what he brings with the new ball and at the death. It’s a really good sign for us and we hope he continues with what he did at the (2023) World Cup.”
And what would his role be as vice-captain? “Being vice-captain comes with added responsibility,” said Axar. “Sometimes we have to take harsh decisions and give honest opinions, and that has been the discussion with Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir.”
India have been on a roll in T20Is. The team has plenty of match-winners. Axar spoke about setting a template, with an eye on the next T20 World Cup, in 2026. As regards the batting order, he said: “Batting-wise, our openers (Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma) are fixed, and from No. 3 to 7, everyone has been told to remain flexible. Anyone can come up anytime, depending on the situation and matchups. Be it a floater or a finisher. There’s no fixed position for anyone batting at from No. 3 to 7.”
McCullum lavishes praise on Gambhir
Minutes after India ended their practice session, Brendon McCullum turned up for the press conference and lavished praise on Gambhir. “Gautam Gambhir is an outstanding leader,” said the England head coach. McCullum played under Gambhir’s captaincy for Kolkata Knight Riders. He knows that with regards to the Indian team, Gambhir is just “starting out”.
Also Read: No tension, laughter, banter and hard work at the nets