Can India Level the Series with Calm and Trust in the Same XI?

New Delhi, July 18 (NationPress) Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has expressed confidence in the young Indian squad's ability to recover and equalize the current Test series in England, emphasizing that panic following defeats can disrupt momentum.

In a detailed discussion with IANS, Kaif lauded India’s determination, despite the absence of senior players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Mohammed Shami, and R. Ashwin, crediting captain Shubman Gill for his dual role as a leader and batsman.

He also urged for consistency in team selection, advising the management not to make impulsive changes after losses. “You played commendable cricket for four days and lost on the fifth — that doesn’t mean you should alter your strategy,” he stated, highlighting the importance of supporting players like Karun Nair and maintaining faith in the current lineup.

With Jasprit Bumrah likely to participate in the crucial next Test, and the batting lineup showing promise, Kaif remains hopeful. “There’s a strong chance of finishing 2–2 — India just needs to maintain composure and play strategically.”

Excerpts:

On India’s performance in the series:

Kaif: India excelled for 12–13 out of the last 15 days. They showcased solid cricket — with both bat and ball. Initially, most expected a 0-4 or 1-4 defeat, but the team has managed to surprise everyone.

Despite the absence of Kohli, Rohit, Shami, and Ashwin, this youthful squad rose to the occasion. They lost two nail-biting matches — Headingley was almost secured, and so was the final Test while chasing 193. Shubman Gill has effectively led from the front — both as a captain and batsman. Concerns were raised about his performance in English conditions, but he responded effectively with the bat. With a bit of luck, India could have triumphed in all three Tests.

On the chase during the last match at Lord's and Ravindra Jadeja’s strategy:

Kaif: Jadeja played a remarkable innings — he deserves full credit. However, if he had perhaps played 10 percent more aggressively, the result might have turned out differently.

It was a Day 5 pitch — with reversing deliveries, uneven bounce, and challenging conditions. When Siraj came in to bat, he faced only three balls. At that moment, managing the strike is crucial — being aware of how many deliveries you expose tailenders like Bumrah or Siraj to.

Jadeja had accomplished 90 percent of the task. Just 10 percent more — a few calculated risks — and the chase might have been completed. But it’s easy to critique from the outside. Only the batter knows the pressure of that moment. Nonetheless, it was a remarkable performance.

On India’s fielding:

Kaif: Overall, India’s fielding was satisfactory. There were a few misfields and dropped catches — a common occurrence in every series.

Karun Nair particularly impressed me — his catching was precise, and his technique was excellent. The absence of Rishabh Pant was felt; a fit Pant would have significantly impacted the wicketkeeping role.

Jaiswal dropped a vital catch in the final match — it came at a pivotal moment. Such incidents can change the course of games. Nevertheless, the catching was fairly solid, with both Shubman Gill and KL Rahul making some sharp catches.

On fielding technique and tape:

Kaif: I’m not a proponent of heavy taping. It numbs your fingers and reduces flexibility. Excessive tape thickens the area, and when the ball hits, it acts like a sponge — softening the impact, causing the ball to pop out.

When I played, I’d use saliva — spitting on my hands helped the ball stick better. Fielding requires accepting pain. You can’t circumvent it; you must endure it.

Jaiswal is a competent fielder — evident in the IPL and Tests. However, too many layers on the fingers can hinder grip and feel, which likely contributed to the dropped catch.

On India’s selection philosophy:

Kaif: One observation I’ve made is that when India faces losses, they tend to panic. In contrast, when victorious, they maintain the same XI.

After losing the first Test, they made 2–3 changes. However, post their victory in Birmingham, only Bumrah was introduced — no other adjustments were made. This pattern is evident.

Even after losing the third Test, I believe they should continue with the same team in Manchester. Karun Nair has been getting starts — scoring 30s and 40s — but hasn’t converted. He still merits another shot.

In my view, this is England’s weakest bowling lineup in years — lacking Broad, Anderson, and Archer is still on his recovery path. I’ve never witnessed an English attack this light. Yet, we couldn’t chase 193. That’s where we faltered.

This poses a challenge for both Shubman Gill and Gautam Gambhir. After a close loss, will they panic and implement changes? Or will they place their faith in the players?

On team mentality and tactics:

Kaif: Above all, avoid panic. Panic breeds pressure — and pressure leads to mistakes. Yes, India must win both remaining Tests. However, that doesn’t imply losing composure. The key is to remain calm.

On India’s batting:

Kaif: I believe that 80–90 percent of the Indian batting lineup has performed admirably. Gill is in form, Jaiswal has made significant contributions, Pant is playing confidently, and Jadeja has been consistently scoring. Sundar has also contributed. If the batting is functioning well, there’s no reason to alter it. Just replicate the same approach.

On Jasprit Bumrah:

Kaif: I’ve heard that Bumrah will be part of the next Test — which is crucial. He has been taking wickets and creating breakthroughs. He nearly secured the last match for India with his bowling.

His recent break was timely, aiding his recovery. This is a high-stakes match — a loss would mean the series is lost.

On Team India’s prospects:

Kaif: There’s a genuine opportunity for India to equalize the series at 2–2 — and I believe the chances are quite favorable. I see this team as capable of staging a robust comeback.

On Shubman Gill’s captaincy and toss decisions:

Kaif: Thus far, Shubman Gill has lost three tosses — two of which we batted first in and one where we chased. We lost the match where we opted to field.

I don’t think the choice to field was appropriate. Moving forward, the strategy should be to win the toss and bat — similar to what Virat Kohli used to do. Accumulate runs on the board, regardless of swing or weather conditions.

This is the mindset we need. Shubman is still young and learning — he has the potential to become a strong leader. These experiences will aid in his development.