Gautam Gambhir opens up on India's obsession with fast-bowling all-rounder

As India is preparing for the packed Test season, newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir has shared his thoughts about the long-standing search for a seam-bowling all-rounder. Since star all-rounder Hardik Pandya's Test career was hampered by injuries, India has been on the lookout for a seam-bowling all-rounder, particularly for overseas conditions. 

This search is increasing, looking at the upcoming challenges, especially the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Gambhir, speaking ahead of the Chennai Test, emphasized that international cricket is not a development ground and the seam-bowling all-rounder would get developed in FC cricket.

"International cricket is all about people coming in and delivering. So we can't be thinking that if there is no one... we can't just be thinking, we've been talking about it since Kapil Dev that we don't have a fast bowling all-rounder. If we don't have it, we don't have it. If we have it, I think he's going to get developed in first-class cricket. We've got a really strong first-class structure. And hopefully, we can get someone soon," he said.

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We still have quality all-rounders: Gautam Gambhir

The former opener spoke about India's existing strengths, particularly in spin bowling all-rounders. He feels India's spin-bowling all-rounders are top quality and can win games for the nation. 

"But if we can get someone really soon, great for Indian cricket. If we don't, then we still have quality all-rounders. We have to manage people like Jadeja, people like Axar [Patel], Ashwin, who's got five Test hundreds. Washi [Washington Sundar] is there as well. So we've got quality all-rounders. So when we keep talking about seam bowling all-rounder, let's not get obsessed with that as well," he added. 

While acknowledging the value a seam-bowling all-rounder could bring, he emphasized the need to appreciate India's unique position. He feels developing cricketers from domestic cricket will help the side at the international level.

"There are not many sides who've got a spin bowling all-rounder. India's got that luxury. So might as well [not] keep thinking about seam bowling all-rounder. Let's talk about quality, which is important. But if we can get someone, if we can develop someone in first-class cricket, it'll be great for Indian cricket," the head coach continued.

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The coach also praised India's bowling unit for changing the country's cricket narrative. In a nation traditionally obsessed with batting, bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj have shifted the focus. 

"India at one stage was a batting obsessed nation. And you've got to give credit to Bumrah, [Mohammed] Shami, [Mohammed] Siraj, Ashwin, Jadeja that now they are turning this intention into a bowling obsessed... not bowling obsessed nation but that we started talking about the bowler," Gambhir concluded.