 "Gautam Gambhir is likely to change the Indian team's approach in T20Is. Reuters")
Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir will now reportedly focus on the T20 format as India get ready for the Asia Cup 2025, which is set to take place in September. Gambhir was busy with the Indian Test team for the past couple of months and is now said to have shifted his attention to the T20I side.
Gambhir wants to rebrand the T20 team
According to the Times of India, Gambhir wants the Indian T20I team to play a more attacking brand of cricket, which they have often been criticised for in the past. The report claims that Gambhir wants to rebrand the team, keeping in mind the modern style of the game. He will also focus on getting results rather than the process.
As per the report, one of his new approaches will not have any designated finisher and instead roles will be assigned depending on the skill set of each player. For example, Shivam Dube could be pushed up the order to take on bowlers if the openers give a strong start.
“There’s no room for getting comfortable. Roles are assigned as per skills, not batting numbers. He is comfortable with this facet of a modern-day T20 cricketer. Shivam Dube, for one, will always get preference since he can go up the order and blast the bowling if the openers get off to great starts. There are no designated finishers," the report read.
With the ICC Champions Trophy win and a decent tour of England done, Gautam Gambhir now has a tough task in the coming white-ball games, including the Asia Cup. These matches will be the perfect practice before the T20 World Cup 2026. The pressure is high on Gambhir to do well because he was chosen as head coach mainly for his success in the shorter format in the IPL.
Meanwhile, Gambhir is also expected to make some unexpected changes in the T20I team ahead of the Asia Cup. The squad for the marquee ACC event is likely to be announced on August 19 in Mumbai.