India’s assistant coach Abhishek Nayar opened up on how it is important to strike a balance while managing senior players in high-stakes scenarios and team dynamics, as he emphasized the crucial role of team priorities in selection decisions.
He explained how crucial it is for veteran players to align with the team-first approach, especially during high-stakes moments. Reflecting on the bold decision to leave out Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja for the first Test against Australia in Perth, Abhishek Nayar emphasized the importance of prioritizing the team’s strategy over individual expectations.
Abhishek Nayar highlights the team-first approach in Indian selection dynamics
Such decisions could easily spark disharmony in the dressing room, but the assistant coach of the Indian cricket team has pointed out that the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, two of the seasoned spin all-rounders, showed the ultimate professionalism that made things easy for the management.
Read Also: Watch: India’s new ODI jersey unveiled by Jay Shah, Harmanpreet Kaur in Mumbai
Abhishek Nayar said that the senior spin duo’s understanding of the broader goals ensures smooth teamwork, even when personal sacrifices are required. He also noted that the Indian captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir believe in a team-first policy, and every player supports them.
Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin understand what the team is trying to do: Nayar
Speaking to media in Canberra, Nayar said, “It’s only tough when you have seniors who don’t understand it. But when you have seniors like Jaddu and Ash who understand what the team is trying to do, it becomes very easy, because the team-first policy is something that Rohit and Gauti bhai believe in.”
With their remarkable combined experience and a staggering 855 Test wickets, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin have long been key to India’s overseas Test success. Ravindra Jadeja, in particular, has always been a key player for India Down Under due to his invaluable contributions with the bat.
Yet, for the Perth Test against Australia, the Indian cricket team management took a bold decision to pick Washington Sundar by overlooking Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, valuing his recent form and adaptability on bouncy surfaces. Despite being sidelined, both Jadeja and Ashwin showed a team-first mindset, embracing the collective goal of success over personal accolades.
Read Also: IPL 2025: Virat Kohli confirmed as new RCB captain by Ravichandran Ashwin
The assistant coach noted, “I feel they have all bought into it. Therefore, I felt immense joy knowing that Jaddu and Ashwin will assist the younger players to ensure their success here. It wasn’t very hard (to explain them), and the culture is such that everyone wants Team India to win.”
Any top-class spinner will have an opportunity: Abhishek Nayar
The second Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 would be a day-night affair at the Adelaide Oval, where spinners can play a key role with the pink ball, and Nayar didn’t rule out the return of Ashwin and Jadeja for the next encounter against Australia.
Nayar signed off by saying, “I always feel in a game of cricket, nobody is out of the game, and whether you are a spinner or a fast bowler, you are always in with a chance. Yes, your plans will change; how you release the ball and at what pace will change, which is why you want to prepare with it (the pink ball).
Maybe a little more challenging than the red ball, primarily because you haven’t bowled as much with the pink ball. But I believe any top-class spinner will have an opportunity.”