Indian former opening batsman Gautam Gambhir suggests team India to move on from their search for a fast-bowling all-rounder. Gambhir suggests BCCI to groom them at the domestic level before bringing them into international cricket.
Gambhir on BCCI’s Search for Fast Bowling All rounder
Though team India have a handful of spin bowling all-rounders like Jadeja, R Ashwin, India struggles to find a fast-bowling all-rounder. Though Hardik starts his career as a promising fast-bowling all-rounder his injury keeps him away from executing his full potential.
In his absence, India tries out various players including S Thakur, V Iyer, and Shivam Dube.
“If you don’t have something, don’t go for it. You have to accept and move on. Don’t try and create something which you can’t create, that is where the problem lies,” Gambhir told Sports Today.
Gambhir said that India should look to groom players at the domestic level instead of doing that in the senior international stage.
“I have always believed that international cricket is all about delivering and not grooming someone. Grooming happens in domestic and India A level. When you represent your country, you should be ready to go out there and perform straightaway,” said Gambhir.
Venkatesh Iyer was played in the three-match ODI series in South Africa as an all-rounder. However, he ended up not being bowled at all in the first match and was dropped for the third match. He has also not been selected in the ODI side that will host the West Indies from February 6. Gambhir said that once a player has been selected, he has to be given a longer run.
“We keep talking about not having an all-rounder since Kapil Dev, to be honest. So move on and try to develop people at the Ranji Trophy and once they get ready, get them in international cricket and stick with them. Don’t keep changing them quickly. We have seen that with so many guys like Vijay Shankar, Shivam Dube, and now Venkatesh Iyer. We need to move on,” said Gambhir.
