Nayar Criticises Red-Ball Prep Ahead of NZ ODI Series
Ahead of India's five-match ODI series against New Zealand, former assistant coach Abhishek Nayar has questioned the team's preparation strategy for players who are part of both the white-ball and red-ball setups. He believes more time should have been given for Test readiness before the two-match Test series.
Nayar's comments come at a time when India's squad has been divided for the ODI leg, drawing attention to how the schedule affects players like Shubman Gill and KL Rahul. He said the split made it harder for them to focus on red-ball cricket.
He also reminded fans that India lost the recent Test series to New Zealand in India, and said that result still weighs on the team. According to Nayar, the side must play the next matches with the same spirit and aggression to answer that defeat.
Speaking to JioStar, Nayar said, 'New Zealand came to India and beat us in the Test series. It affected me and our fans too. That is why this series is so significant. Life needs balance. The World Cup is important, but there is still time. In my opinion, this Test series is a decisive one for Gautam Gambhir and the Indian fans.'
He further explained that players competing in both formats should have been allowed to devote time to Test cricket alone. 'Now you have to prepare for the ODIs and then for the Tests. Shubman Gill and KL Rahul should have had one or two months to practise with the red ball. Just as New Zealand beat us in India, we need to beat them at their home.'
Captaincy duties are divided in the ODI series, with Shubman Gill leading in the first three games and Shreyas Iyer taking charge for the last two. Gill and Rahul will exit the ODI squad after the third match so they can begin Test preparations.
Nayar also weighed in on Yashasvi Jaiswal's absence from the ODI squad. He said the left-handed opener could have been asked to strengthen his red-ball game through domestic cricket instead of remaining on the bench.
The former cricketer added, 'I am sure Yashasvi must have been told that we are not choosing you because Rohit Sharma will open with Shubman Gill anyway. So instead of sitting out, prepare for the New Zealand tour and play the Ranji Trophy, because it will help you perform in the Test series and win matches for Team India.'
India's squad for the first three ODIs is Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy (only for the first ODI) and Akib Nabi.
India's squad for the fourth and fifth ODIs is Shreyas Iyer (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper and vice-captain), Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Akib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Kumar Kushagra (wicketkeeper), Mohammed Siraj, Yash Thakur and Kuldeep Yadav.