Devang Gandhi Advocates for Arshdeep to Join Shami for Varied Bowling Attack

New Delhi, Feb 19 (NationPress) Referred to as a mini World Cup, the eight-team ICC Champions Trophy is recognized for its challenging nature - a defeat can significantly diminish a team's prospects of advancing to the semifinals and may even terminate their campaign prematurely.

Fast forward to today, amidst discussions about the relevance of the 50-over format, the Champions Trophy returns for the first time since 2017, with Pakistan hosting a global event after a 29-year hiatus. India stands out as a strong contender for the title, even if their semi-final match and potentially the final take place in Dubai.

Since winning the Champions Trophy in 2013 with players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja, India has not secured another 50-over global title. However, they have a golden opportunity to claim back-to-back ICC trophies.

In an exclusive interview with IANS, Devang Gandhi - the former Indian cricketer and a member of the senior men's selection committee from 2016/17 to 2020/21 - shared his thoughts on India’s prospects in the Champions Trophy, the potential inclusion of Arshdeep Singh in the playing eleven, and the reasoning behind selecting five spinners for the team.

Excerpts:

Q. How do you analyze the composition of India’s squad for this Champions Trophy?

A. I would certainly consider India among the favorites. If we reflect on the recently concluded series against England, we performed exceptionally well, especially by defeating a strong team like England, which bodes well for us.

All players are in form, from the openers through to the middle order, and our bowling lineup is robust as well. Additionally, we have considerable depth and variety, covering all bases. Our batting extends to eight, which is a positive sign as the top order can play freely.

Q. Regarding the 3-0 series victory over England, how significant was it for Rohit and Virat to score crucial runs before the Champions Trophy?

A. This is very encouraging, particularly since Rohit needed to find form. His success will not only benefit him but the entire Indian team in Dubai. We now appear to be a formidable unit. Virat, too, looked to make substantial runs while batting in Ahmedabad. Both players seem eager to perform and possibly secure another ICC trophy.

Q. In the absence of Bumrah, how crucial will Shami, Hardik, Harshit, and Arshdeep be?

A. We will undoubtedly miss Bumrah, but this opens up opportunities for Arshdeep or Harshit to seize the moment. I believe Shami will start due to his experience and wicket-taking ability early in the innings. In my view, Arshdeep should partner with Shami because he adds variety as a left-arm quick.

He’s tall, has some experience in international cricket, and possesses the ability to swing the ball. This makes him a valuable option for taking wickets early and in the middle overs. Given his extensive T20 experience, he can also execute yorkers and slower balls effectively during death overs.

Q. Were you surprised by India's decision to select five spinners for this tournament?

A. The rationale seems to stem from the extensive cricket played in Dubai. The league games (ILT20) held in Dubai suggest that the wickets might be worn, making slower bowlers pivotal. India's likely combination appears to be three fast bowlers, including Hardik, alongside three spinners - two left-arm spinners and a wrist spinner.

In case of injury to Kuldeep or Varun, they can be replaced by either, as they are similar replacements. Currently, it appears that traveling with five spinners is a luxury, but we might need that extra spinner, as India is likely to play with three spinners.

Q. Axar Patel performed well as a number five batter, with KL Rahul moving to number six. Do you see the number six position as a concern?

A. I don’t regard it as a concern, as it’s important to understand why Axar was promoted to number five. All four top batters in the Indian lineup are right-handers. If KL and Hardik were also right-handers, that would leave no left-hander in the sequence. They wanted to test Axar’s performance there, and he succeeded in the first two matches against England. They aimed for a left-right combination. However, if they consider including a left-hander, I would prefer Rishabh Pant at number four, with Shubman, Rohit, and Virat ahead of him.

Shreyas could be five, as he is an aggressive player who scores quickly. He doesn’t take long to settle in. Historically, Shreyas has maintained a high strike rate, so KL may not fit in. The order would be Shreyas at five, Hardik at six, and either Jadeja or Axar at seven or eight. This resolves the issue of fitting in a left-handed batter.

Q. How do you view this Indian team adapting to Dubai’s slow pitches and the lighting conditions in the stadium?

A. I don’t expect the lighting to pose much of a challenge, as these cricketers are accustomed to such conditions, and it won’t require significant adjustments. They will adapt well to the slow pitches.

Batting can be challenging on slower surfaces, and the team must determine what constitutes a good or par score. A target of 300 isn’t achievable on all surfaces; on extremely slow pitches, even 250 can be commendable.

In such instances, aiming for 300 is impractical. Conversely, if the pitch is conducive to stroke play, a minimum of 300 is expected, potentially reaching 325 or 350. Thus, the team must adapt and perform accordingly.

Q. Which team poses the greatest challenge to India: Bangladesh, Pakistan, or New Zealand?

A. The match against Pakistan indeed presents unique challenges, given the high-pressure environment. However, my primary concern lies with New Zealand, as they are a well-rounded team. They may not receive the attention they deserve, but they can make India work hard, making that match crucial. Therefore, I would rank New Zealand as the toughest opponent, followed by Pakistan, and then Bangladesh.

Q. If India wins the Champions Trophy, what would it imply for their readiness for the 2027 ODI World Cup?

A. I believe most of these players participated in the 2023 World Cup final and recognized how close they came to victory. Throughout the tournament, we dominated all matches except the final. This time, these players must be highly motivated to bring the trophy home.

Moreover, many youngsters are part of the team and will likely be present for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Some current team members may or may not be there, but this victory would certainly set the stage for the next 50-over World Cup.