4 takeaways for Shubman Gill & Gautam Gambhir from India vs Australia 1st ODI
The first ODI between India and Australia in Perth left a strange aftertaste. Rain was certainly a factor, but not the main problem. The team of Gautam Gambhir and Shubman Gill, returning to the field after a seven-month break from ODIs, have shown several warning signs that give cause for concern. So, 4 takeaways for Shubman Gill & Gautam Gambhir from India vs Australia 1st ODI.
Kuldeep Yadav’s absence: A stroke of genius or a tactical miscalculation
Perhaps the most controversial decision was not to include Kuldeep Yadav in the squad. The legendary Krishnamachari Srikkanth, without mincing words, called this decision illogical. Indeed, how can you leave out your own best bowler after the Asia Cup and the Test series against the West Indies?
The coaching staff’s rationale for favoring all-rounders Akshar Patel, Nitish Reddy, and Washington Sundar is ostensibly that spinners can’t thrive on Perth’s fast pitches. But the irony of fate? Australian left-handed spinner Matthew Kuhnemann has become one of the hosts’ most effective bowlers! “He bowled such important balls!” exclaims Srikkanth. “And Akshar took the key wicket for us. Spinners have done their job, and will continue to do it, better than medium-paced bowlers.”
The excuse of “Australian wickets where the ball doesn’t spin” seems dangerous, to say the least. Kuldeep is a match-winning player. In any other team he would have taken to the field automatically. Isn’t it time to forget the fixed idea with eight batsmen and simply field the best players?
4 takeaways for Shubman Gill & Gautam Gambhir from India vs Australia 1st ODI: Rohit and Kohli
It’s hard to blame our senior comrades – Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Their last match was at the Champions Trophy seven months ago. It would be naive to expect them to come out and immediately start destroying everything, especially on one of the fastest pitches in the world in Perth.
They looked out of place and didn’t play their best. And this is absolutely normal. It will only become a problem if management doesn’t understand that these giants need time to get into rhythm. Perhaps we’ll see their real game on a more bat-friendly pitch in Adelaide. Should we panic? Definitely not.
4 takeaways for Shubman Gill & Gautam Gambhir from India vs Australia 1st ODI: Shreyas Iyer
During the 2025 IPL, it seemed Iyer had finally overcome his greatest weakness—his vulnerability to short deliveries. But Perth and Josh Hazlewood provided a cruel reminder that old habits die hard. That very ball that choked him on the leg-side was a painful deja vu. Australian fast bowlers know his weakness and will exploit it again and again. So, the 30-year-old batsman still has some work to do? It seems so.
4 takeaways for Shubman Gill & Gautam Gambhir from India vs Australia 1st ODI: Nitish Reddy
Here’s a ray of light! Nitish Reddy has clearly shown he can become the all-rounder that Gambhir is banking on. His fast bowling may not be up to Hardik Pandya’s level, but his batting is on par, if not better. His brief but brilliant cameo innings made one wonder if Gill and Gambhir were underperforming him.
He’s clearly a better batsman than Akshar and Washington, so why hide such a player at No. 8? It’s simply wasteful! If you’re going to bank on all-rounders, make the most of them.
The first match raised more questions than it answered. The main one is tactical. Were 4 takeaways for Shubman Gill & Gautam Gambhir from India vs Australia 1st ODI realised, and will the team continue to sacrifice pure talent for the sake of questionable squad depth? The answer to this question will show how flexible Team India’s new leaders are willing to be.
