Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has cautioned the Indian team against letting their aggressive batting approach spiral into recklessness, emphasising the need for calculated intent as they prepare for their high-stakes group-stage encounter against Pakistan in Colombo on February 15.
Speaking in an exclusive segment with India Today, the legendary opener stressed that while India’s modern batting philosophy has transformed the game, there’s a fine line between fearless cricket and careless shot selection—particularly when conditions favour the bowlers.
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CALCULATED AGGRESSION, NOT RECKLESSNESS
Gavaskar acknowledged India’s new-age batting prowess, where even 200-run totals seem routine. However, he pointed to the team’s underwhelming performances against the USA and Namibia as evidence that this approach can backfire when pitches offer assistance to bowlers.
“Look, it can’t be reckless. It’s got to be calculated aggression, and that’s what we’ve seen so far. Yes, occasionally it goes wrong, but I think it’s a calculated aggression that is important,” Gavaskar explained.
He illustrated his point with a specific scenario: “For example, I think you’ve got 12 runs in the over, you’ve hit two or three sixes—two sixes and maybe another boundary. And then now the fielders have been moved a little bit. You do not go to try and take that challenge where you want to go over the fielder and get out, because that’s silly.”
The batting great emphasised the importance of understanding match situations and selecting the right bowlers to target. “But if you’re in the flow—and I know it’s very easy to say— but if you’re in the flow as a batter, then you keep doing it. And yes, you might get out there; that is the thing. But the thing is to also see which bowlers you’re targeting.”
Gavaskar added that tactical awareness is crucial: “There are bowlers you must target for maximum runs in their two or three overs. There are certain bowlers you should be happy to say, ‘Look, I’ll probably get maybe eight runs an over from him. That’s a good economy for him.'”
SPIN-HEAVY ATTACK FOR PREMADASA
On team composition for the Pakistan match, Gavaskar advocated for a significant tactical shift—bringing in Washington Sundar in place of Arshdeep Singh to bolster India’s spin arsenal. With the Premadasa Stadium expected to assist spinners and Pakistan deploying a five-man spin unit successfully in previous matches, the former captain believes India should match that strategy.
“I said yesterday that I’d like to see Washington Sundar in the team because of the fact that Premadasa has been helping spinners. So yes, I think an additional spinner—but somebody like Washington Sundar can bat down the order as well, who can bat at number eight, you know, give it the thrust in the last two or three overs,” Gavaskar reasoned.
He highlighted Sundar’s dual value: “You want some 18-20 runs in three overs, you know, somebody like Washington Sundar can get those 20-30 runs.”
While praising Arshdeep Singh’s contributions, Gavaskar outlined his preferred bowling combination: “Arshdeep has been a fine bowler, but I would like Hardik Pandya and Bumrah to be the new ball bowlers, and then the spinners come in. And you have Shivam Dube to come in and bowl a couple in case, you know, the new ball is wobbling a bit.”
As India face their arch-rivals in what promises to be a crucial T20 World Cup encounter, Gavaskar’s tactical insights add another dimension to the pre-match build-up.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
