In a stunning display of aggressive cricket, India shattered multiple records during their second Test against Bangladesh, giving rise to talk of a new era of attacking play under head coach Gautam Gambhir—dubbed ‘Gamball’. This bold approach from India is drawing comparisons to England’s famed ‘Bazball’, with Ravichandran Ashwin, the Player of the Series, acknowledging the trend.
India’s emphatic victory came after a rain-affected first three days at Green Park Stadium in Kanpur, where only 35 overs of play were possible. Despite the disruption, India quickly set about chasing a result in the two remaining days. After dismissing Bangladesh for 233 in their first innings, India responded with an unprecedented onslaught, smashing 285/9 in just 34.4 overs. Their blistering pace saw them break records for the fastest team totals of 50, 100, and 200 in Test cricket.
This aggressive batting approach allowed India to bowl at Bangladesh on Day 4, claiming two key wickets before stumps. On the final day, India wrapped up Bangladesh’s second innings, dismissing them for just 146 runs, and comfortably chased the 95-run target in 17.2 overs to win the match by seven wickets, completing a 2-0 series sweep.
Reflecting on India’s performance, Ashwin commented on the rise of the term ‘Gamball’, which he saw being mentioned in online posts. “I came across some discussions about ‘Gamball’—a reference to our attacking style under Gautam Gambhir. It’s an exciting trend,” Ashwin told Jio Cinema.
Gambhir took over as India’s head coach following their T20 World Cup victory, replacing Rahul Dravid. Despite the leadership change, Ashwin noted that there isn’t a significant difference between the coaching styles of Dravid and Gambhir. Both are equally driven to lead India to success and share an unparalleled passion for the game.
“Both Rahul Bhai and Gauti Bhai are incredibly passionate about Indian cricket. Their love for the game is evident in the dressing room, and it’s been a privilege to work with both,” Ashwin added. “It feels like I’ve had two cricketing masterminds guiding me, and that’s a dream for any player.”
India’s Test series win comes after a mixed start to Gambhir’s tenure as head coach. While India clinched a T20I series win over Sri Lanka, they unexpectedly lost the following ODI series. However, they quickly rebounded in the Test format, reaffirming their dominance by securing the top spot in the World Test Championship standings.
With the Bangladesh series behind them, India now turns its attention to the upcoming three-match T20I series against the same opposition. Following that, the Indian squad will gear up for a crucial Test series against New Zealand as they continue their march toward further success in international cricket.
