Indian cricket fans have long been captivated by their batsmen, but the spotlight is now shifting to the nation's bowlers, including the yorker specialist Jasprit Bumrah, according to coach Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir, who succeeded Rahul Dravid in July, will be at the helm for his inaugural Test match as India's coach in a two-game series against Bangladesh, starting Thursday in Chennai. The 42-year-old former opener lauded India's world-class bowlers for their significant impact on the team.
"It's a rare occurrence in India where we now discuss the bowlers. Historically, it's always been about the batsmen. India was once a nation obsessed with batting," Gambhir remarked during a press conference. He went on to praise Bumrah, calling him the best fast bowler across all formats. "It's a privilege to have someone like Jasprit Bumrah in our dressing room, capable of turning the game at any moment," he added. Bumrah's unique bowling action is known for stifling the opposition's scoring and taking crucial wickets; since his debut in 2018, he has claimed 159 Test wickets.
Spin bowling typically thrives on Indian pitches, and the hosts will likely rely heavily on Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Ashwin boasts 516 Test wickets, while Jadeja, a left-handed batsman with an aggressive style, is just six wickets away from 300. "India is fortunate to have bowlers like Ashwin and Jadeja, who have performed exceptionally well together. We understand the impact they can make," Gambhir noted.
Gambhir, who played a pivotal role in India's 2011 ODI World Cup victory and coached Kolkata Knight Riders to an IPL title this year, is also recognized for his fiery temperament. He once had a public altercation with Virat Kohli during an IPL match. However, Gambhir assured that his relationships with senior players, including Kohli and team captain Rohit Sharma, are strong. "My bond with the senior players is solid. More importantly, our intentions are aligned—to advance Indian cricket," he stated.
Despite being clear favorites on home soil, India is cautious not to underestimate Bangladesh, who recently achieved a historic 2-0 series sweep against Pakistan. "We played excellent cricket against Pakistan, but that is behind us now," said Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto. "That victory boosts our confidence, but we are here to compete well." Commentators have previously criticized Bangladesh for their emotional instability, but Shanto believes that perception is outdated. "Many of our players have been around for 10-15 years and are seasoned," he explained. "We no longer let emotions dictate our game."
A series victory against Bangladesh would solidify India's position at the top of the World Test Championship standings, but Gambhir emphasized the importance of respect and focus. "I believe we should respect every opponent, but fear none," he said. "I commend Bangladesh for their performance in Pakistan, but this is a new series, and they are a formidable team. We aim to play our best cricket." India is aiming for a third consecutive appearance in the WTC final and is looking to start their season strongly, which includes three home Tests against New Zealand and five in Australia. The team has been bolstered by the return of wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who is back after a severe car accident in December 2022. Meanwhile, Dhruv Jurel, who impressed in the series against England earlier this year, will have to wait for his opportunity.
