Former Indian batter Subramaniam Badrinath criticised head coach Gautam Gambhir for over-prioritizing matchups in the ongoing T20 World Cup. Gambhir and his team decided to play Washington Sundar ahead of Axar Patel against South Africa because of the number of left-handers in the opposition’s batting line-up.
But the move didn’t pay rich dividends as Sundar returned with figures of 0-17 in two overs he bowled. Sundar was also promoted to number five after India lost three early wickets but the left-hander could only manage a run-a-ball 11.
India was eventually bowled out for 111 while chasing 188 and thus suffered a huge loss of 76 runs.
Badrinath said on his YouTube Channel, “Seeing things like a batter has failed x number of times in y number of games is fine. But looking beyond these is what the coach should do at the highest level. To figure out if a player is in form and fit, even if numbers are against him, is why you are appointed as a coach. If it’s just numbers, even an analyst for Rs. 50,000 will do that job. You can just keep an analyst as a coach if everything is just based on numbers.”
“You’ve been picked as a coach because you’ve played at the highest level, and to see the extra things and not just prioritising matchups. Matchups are only a form of information. It should only add to your strategy and not be your complete strategy. It will never work in sports.”
On the other hand, former Indian bowler Laxmipathy Balaji downplayed the importance of matchups and said it is more about character and personality.
“It should never be about matchups. It is about personality and character. There are only so many options in cricket. What’s the big deal about a left-arm spinner bowling to a left-hander? Has he never bowled to a left-hander in his career? That way, the top order hasn’t scored runs, yet you don’t change them and show them enough confidence. Likewise, a bowler should be given that,” said Balaji (via the aforementioned source).
“It’s the bowlers that always suffer in these matchup theories. A batter never suffers even if he has a poor strike rate against a particular type of bowler. Matchups are definitely overrated, and Axar Patel has all the resources covered. He can bat at multiple positions. He’s an exceptional fielder and a great thinker of the game, who can bowl at any stage of the game. Matchups should never be considered for such a value-add cricketer.”
India will next take on Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on Thursday.
