Zaheer Khan Warns Gautam Gambhir Over ‘Flexible’ Approach: ‘It Might Come Back to Hurt You’

Zaheer Khan Warns Gautam Gambhir Over ‘Flexible’ Approach: Former India cricketer Zaheer Khan has said that while the Indian team management is looking to be flexible with the batting order beyond the openers, it might also create insecurity within players without proper communication.

Zaheer, a former teammate of India head coach Gautam Gambhir, warned that this approach might bite the Indian team back at some point.

Zaheer Khan stressed on a unified approach among the coach, captain, selectors and players for Gambhir's strategy to work.

He emphasized on the need for transparent communication between all the parties involved.

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"The entire system needs to be streamlined for the wheel to turn properly," he added, emphasizing everyone involved in decision-making must adapt and work together seamlessly.

Zaheer Khan admitted that though flexibility can be good, it has to be within certain boundaries to avoid "insecurity" among established players.

He stressed on the importance of clear communication and following protocols in executing a flexible approach.

"Otherwise, you are creating insecurity, which, at some stage, will come back and hurt you," he warned during a discussion with Cricbuzz.

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"That's why I said recency bias is something very strong right now. The situation has become dynamic if you have to compare Rahul Dravid's approach and Gautam Gambhir's approach. You can say it's good, bad or ugly, or you can say how do we adapt," Zaheer added.

A rising point in this case is KL Rahul, who hasn't batted at No. 5 in the two ODIs. If ends justify the means, then Gambhir stood vindicated after Axar Patel scored 52 and 41 not out in the first two matches at No. 5 even though he came in at a time when India were well on course for a win against England.

If Rahul is being seen as someone, who will come to bat after the 30th or the 35th over in ODIs, there is every chance that Rishabh Pant might make more impact than him. Notably, the latter hasn't played a single ODI.

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