Gautam Gambhir Warns of T20 Cricket's Effect on India vs New Zealand 2024 Test Batting

The Detrimental Effects of T20 Cricket

Gautam Gambhir, the head coach of the India cricket team, has raised concerns regarding how the growing popularity of T20 cricket is negatively impacting the standards of Test batting. Speaking to reporters ahead of the crucial third Test against the New Zealand cricket team, he warned that as T20 matches increase, batters will struggle more to defend their wickets.

Importance of Defensive Techniques

According to Gambhir, the India vs New Zealand 2024 series has brought to light the need for players to cultivate their defensive skills. He noted, “The more the T20 cricket is played, the poorer will be a batter’s defensive technique.” Gambhir reminisced about successful players across all formats having strong defensive capabilities.

Current Pressures on the India Cricket Team

The Indian team is currently facing pressure, having lost the first two Tests against New Zealand. Gambhir stated, “I never expected a very easy run for me,” reflecting on the challenges of coaching. The team aims to recover and avoid a clean sweep in the series.

Recognizing the intense environment, Gambhir expressed the need for coaches to support players, noting, “I realize it’s a complete different thing when you were playing and now as a coach.”