The Indian team management led by head coach Gautam Gambhir has made training mandatory. Previously Gambhir and the team management held optional training. However India’s recent defeat to New Zealand in Pune seems to have changed their approach.
According to The Indian Express, Gambhir and the management have now instructed all players in the squad to attend the training session before the third Test in Mumbai. This time, there will be no “optional” training; all 16 players in the squad will participate in two days of match practice.
A source confirmed, “The team management has asked the players to be present for two days of practice on October 30 and 31. It’s compulsory, and no one can skip it.”
This strict decision comes after India’s unexpected home series loss to New Zealand. With two losses in the three-match series India faces an uphill battle in the final game.
India lost the first Test in Bengaluru on a pitch favoring fast bowlers, where they were bowled out for just 46 runs in the first innings, leading to defeat despite a strong second-innings effort.
Expected to bounce back in the second Test in Pune, India struggled again as New Zealand adapted well to the spin-friendly pitch. Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner led New Zealand to a 113-run win, securing the series.
India’s Batting Struggles
Gautam Gambhir has faced criticism over India’s batting struggles in this series. Except for Yashasvi Jaiswal, the top order has been underwhelming, with senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli struggling to score.
Meanwhile, spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, one of cricket’s most successful pairs, have yet to put significant pressure on New Zealand’s batters.
With the goal of reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) final, India must now win the next Test against New Zealand and then face Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. In preparation, Gambhir and his coaching team have opted for a full training session instead of optional ones before the Mumbai Test.
