Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir has revealed that the inclusion of Sanju Samson in the squad was never meant to neutralize the off-spinner at the other end, but was an attempt to add more firepower to the top order.
Sanju Samson’s inclusion in the Indian team against Zimbabwe led everyone to think it was a forced change after India’s humiliating defeat, and their left-handed batsman struggling against off-spinners. However, Gambhir revealed that the situation was completely different.
It was about adding more firepower to the top order- Gautam Gambhir
Title-winning head coach Gautam Gambhir has now made it clear that his strategy behind bringing Sanju Samson into the side was not based on neutralizing off-spin from one end, as it was causing trouble to the left-handed openers, but on adding more firepower to India’s top order.
Gautam Gambhir said, “The reason for including Sanju was not about handling the off-spinner from the other end. It was about whether we could get even more firepower at the top and whether we could be more aggressive in the first six overs.”
“There was never any doubt about his talent; there was never any doubt about his explosiveness. If he gets going, he can win you games in the first six overs. Imagine having Abhishek, Sanju and Ishan as your top three, and then you’ve got players like Surya, Hardik, Shivam and Axar,” Gambhir said.
“Many people would argue that we wanted to break the three left-handed batsmen at the top. I still believe that a good batsman will be good against any kind of bowler, be it an off-spinner or a left-arm spinner.”
Citing the importance of Samson, the head coach said, “So for me, I think it was Sanju’s explosive ability and his experience and more importantly what he brings to the table, that got him the opportunity.”
Let it come- Gambhir reveals Sanju’s confident approach
Gautam Gambhir also revealed that he had told the opener that he would open with Abhishek Sharma for India in the next game and the batsman, who was completely out of form, showed some remarkable confidence.
Gautam Gambhir recalled, “I told him this in the gym. We were both training together and I told him that you will play tomorrow. Then he said, “Let it come.”
Sanju came into the team and scored three consecutive high-scoring half-centuries and won three matches for India, all three being knockout games for the defending champions. He was named Player of the Tournament in his World Cup debut.
It’s not like the relationship between a head coach and a player – Gambhir claims his generous leadership
The Indian coach credited his chemistry in the dressing room and highlighted his relationship with his players. He revealed that his relationship with his players is not that of a head coach but that of a benevolent leader.
Gambhir said, “This is our informal interaction. It is not like a head coach or player relationship. Most of our meetings take place during practice sessions; our meetings last for 10 minutes or 15 minutes maximum. We keep it casual and informal and let the boys go out and express themselves.”
Also read: Abhishek Sharma has been dubbed the next ‘Virat Kohli’ after his sensational innings in the T20 World Cup final.
