India men’s coach prefers the team losing the first Test to retain the chance of winning the series
India coach Gautam Gambhir has called for more three-match series in Tests, arguing that two-Test series – like the one his team is presently engaged in, in Sri Lanka – do not allow for full narratives to unfold. Specifically, he spoke about teams not having the opportunity to bounce back from an early loss to take the series.
“Ideally, I would want a three-match Test series,” Gambhir said in Colombo on the eve of the second Test. His team is actually leading this series, having won by 165 runs in Galle. “I’ve always believed that there should always be a possibility that a team losing the first Test match can come back and win the series. You can’t do that in a two-Test series – the most you can do is draw the series.
“A short turnaround between Tests is fine. Other teams are doing that as well.”
Though they are leading this particular series, India have had to bounce back from a 1-0 deficit on their 2015 tour of the island. Gambhir also made reference to an India’s comeback win against Australia, possibly the 2001 series, in which India lost at the Wankhede, but famously went on to win in Kolkata and Chennai, taking the series 2-1.
“I still remember that series, between India and Australia, where India was one down, and they still managed to come back, and win that series 2-1. Normally, if you have those three Test matches, it’s always worth it.”
Aside from India, Australia, and England, most Test teams play series lasting only two Tests, even – as in this case – if their opponent is India. Sri Lanka have only six two-match series on their schedule in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle. Reigning World Test Champions South Africa had a similarly sparse schedule in the cycle that they won.
Andrew Fidel Fernando is a senior writer at Cricinfo. @afidelf
