Ranji or Afghanistan T20Is? Sunil Gavaskar throws shade at India's Pre-England Test prep

With the crucial England Test series looming, legendary Indian batter Sunil Gavaskar has raised some eyebrows over Team India’s preparation choices. In a scathing column, Gavaskar questioned the decision to prioritize the T20I series against Afghanistan over getting some key batters match-ready in the ongoing Ranji Trophy.

While India swept the T20I series against Afghanistan 3-0, Sunil Gavaskar believes valuable time could have been utilized differently. He points out that several batters, including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shubman Gill, featured in the T20Is despite underwhelming performances in the previous Test series against South Africa.

“Apart from KL Rahul and Virat Kohli, the other Indian batters had a forgettable four innings in South Africa,” Sunil Gavaskar wrote in Sportstar. “Would it have been better for some to play a couple of Ranji Trophy games to tune themselves for the England Tests?”

Gavaskar’s argument hinges on the fact that many batters haven’t found their rhythm in red-ball cricket lately. The Ranji Trophy, India’s premier first-class tournament, could have provided them with much-needed match practice and helped them regain confidence ahead of the challenging England series.

Sunil Gavaskar questions Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli return

Gavaskar’s critique extends beyond the missed Ranji opportunity. He also takes aim at the decision to bring back Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the T20I series, considering their recent focus on Test cricket and the team’s ongoing experimentation with the format.

“Bringing back Rohit Sharma and Kohli for the three-match series against Afghanistan made little sense,” Sunil Gavaskar wrote.

He particularly criticized Rohit’s golden duck in the second T20I, questioning his commitment to the format, especially after a similar first-match dismissal. While Rohit Sharma redeemed himself with a record-breaking century in the final game, the initial hiccups left room for Gavaskar’s doubt.

India vs England beckons

With the England Tests just around the corner, Gavaskar’s words serve as a wake-up call for Team India. The upcoming rubber carries immense significance, particularly as India hasn’t had the ideal start to the current World Test Championship cycle.

Whether Gavaskar’s concerns prove valid remains to be seen. However, his critique highlights the importance of prioritizing the right kind of preparation for different formats, especially when major Test challenges lie ahead. Only time will tell if India’s chosen path leads them to success against England or if doubts of Sunil Gavaskar hold merit.

Team India faces a delicate balancing act in the coming months. They need to ensure their white-ball preparations for the T20 World Cup are on track while simultaneously addressing any lingering concerns about their Test-match readiness. Finding the right equilibrium will be key to their success in both formats.