Cricket

As the Indian cricket team embarks on its grueling five-Test tour of Australia, coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar are simultaneously charting a roadmap for the future of India's white-ball teams.Following India's disappointing 0-3 home series loss to New Zealand, the need for transition has become increasingly evident. Agarkar has been tasked with staying in Australia throughout the tour to collaborate closely with Gambhir and assess the current state of each player's career.The primary objective is to ensure that Agarkar and Gambhir are in sync regarding the team's future direction. Recent speculations have hinted at a lack of alignment in selection and strategy."Both Agarkar and Gambhir recognize that such poor performance in India will inevitably draw criticism," said a BCCI source. "With the extended duration of the tour, they can engage in discussions about the team's future trajectory."A crucial aspect of their mission involves engaging with senior players about their long-term plans. Captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, R Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja are all approaching their late 30s."These senior players remain integral to the team," the source added. "However, there may be some challenging conversations. They will be informed about the selectors' and coach's vision and asked to share their career aspirations in the context of the upcoming World Test Championship cycle and the ODI World Cup."With the ICC Champions Trophy looming shortly after the Test series, the workload of Test players will be carefully considered. The selectors, Rohit, and Gambhir aim to identify a core group for the Champions Trophy.Gambhir is also advocating for a dedicated T20 team composed solely of T20 specialists, rather than multi-format players. This proposal is likely to spark debate, as India's multi-format players are often rested from bilateral T20I series."T20 cricket demands specialists," the source explained. "However, there are players like Bumrah, Pant, Jaiswal, and Gill who cannot be overlooked. Many T20I series are played against weaker opponents or teams that also rest their top players. Some believe that the younger players in the T20 team should not have to make way for Test players when they become available."

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir has expressed unwavering support for under-fire batsman KL Rahul, emphasizing his crucial role in India's plans for the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.Gambhir praised Rahul's versatility, highlighting his ability to bat in various positions and keep wickets in ODIs. "KL Rahul is a rare talent," said Gambhir. "He can open the batting, bat at No. 3, or even play at No. 6. Not many teams have players with such versatility."Rahul's inclusion in the squad for Australia is contingent on Rohit Sharma's availability for the first Test. If Sharma is unavailable, Rahul is a strong contender to open the batting alongside Yashaswi Jaiswal.However, Rahul's recent performances have raised concerns. He was dropped after the first Test against New Zealand and sent to Australia early to join the India 'A' squad for practice. His performance in the second unofficial Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground was disappointing, with a total of just 14 runs in two innings.Despite Rahul's struggles, Gambhir remains confident in his abilities. "He is one of the options to open the batting if Rohit is not available," said Gambhir. "We are still weighing our options."The coach also addressed the question of Rohit Sharma's availability for the first Test. "There is no confirmation yet," said Gambhir. "Hopefully, he will be available. We will know more before the start of the series."In the event of Sharma's absence, Jasprit Bumrah will lead the side as vice-captain.

VVS Laxman and his support staff at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) are likely to accompany the Indian team to Zimbabwe for the five-match T20I series starting July 6. This move is part of the BCCI's plan to provide continuity and support to the young players who have been identified as potential future stars.Meanwhile, Gautam Gambhir is expected to start his tenure as head coach of the senior men's team from the Sri Lanka tour in mid-July. Gambhir, who is currently the favorite for the role, will have the opportunity to select his support staff, including batting, bowling, and fielding coaches.The squad for the Zimbabwe series is expected to be announced by the end of this week, with a mix of young IPL performers and experienced T20 World Cup contingent members. Riyan Parag, Abhishek Sharma, and Nitish Reddy are among the rookies who are likely to receive their maiden call-ups.Hardik Pandya or Suryakumar Yadav is expected to lead the team in Zimbabwe. Pandya has been rested for the ongoing South Africa series, while Yadav captained the T20 team against Australia at home and in South Africa.The BCCI's decision to send Laxman and the NCA coaches with the Zimbabwe squad is a testament to the importance they place on developing young talent. Laxman and his team have a proven track record of nurturing young players and preparing them for the international stage.The Zimbabwe series will provide a valuable opportunity for the young Indian players to gain experience and showcase their skills. It will also serve as a platform for Laxman and his support staff to assess the players' progress and identify areas for improvement.