Versatile Depth: India’s T20 Squad Boasts Up to Eight Bowling Options

India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, in an interview with bcci.tv, explained the strategic decision behind deploying Jasprit Bumrah for three overs during the PowerPlay in the recent Asia Cup, which India won.

Gambhir expressed that many view this T20 team as a highly aggressive batting force, but he believes utilizing Bumrah for three overs early on was an even bolder bowling strategy. “We aim to be recognized not just for aggressive batting, but as a comprehensively aggressive team,” he remarked.

Additionally, Gambhir said, “We wanted to experiment with Bumrah bowling three overs in the PowerPlay to see how it works for us in the future, and it proved successful in the Asia Cup, often allowing us to dominate the PowerPlay.”

Further, with wicket-taking bowlers like Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav in the middle overs, India can consistently apply pressure. Gambhir emphasized the need for an aggressive approach throughout all phases of the game.

During Gambhir’s tenure, India has prioritized batting depth up to No. 8, while ensuring the team has seven to eight bowling options through the inclusion of all-rounders such as Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar.

According to Gambhir, “Having more all-rounders provides us with flexibility. We’ve historically aimed for six bowling options, but now we have seven or eight, which is crucial.”

Gambhir is optimistic about Washington and Axar’s performances in the T20 World Cup, noting their potential to succeed in varied conditions.

In Gambhir’s coaching philosophy, players are often given challenging roles to assess their resilience. He noted, “We test individuals by placing them in tough situations, just as we did with Shubman Gill when he was named Test captain.”

Gill rose to the occasion and delivered an impressive batting display in his first Test series as a captain against England, leading the team to a 2-2 draw in a keenly contested series.

Published on November 10, 2025.