NEW DELHI: Gautam Gambhir’s push for multi-skilled players in the Indian cricket team has come under severe criticism. Many former players and analysts argue that prioritising all-rounders over specialist batters or bowlers has contributed to India’s poor results in Test cricket.
Despite this, South African legend Jacques Kallis is in complete agreement with Gambhir’s philosophy.
Balance and depth
Kallis emphasised that all-rounders bring crucial balance to a team, strengthening both batting and bowling options.
“Yes, 100 per cent. It just gives you a balance to your team. It makes you bat a lot deeper, and you know, it allows you, perhaps, you do have a longer batting order with your all-rounders to go a little bit harder up front and in the middle,” Kallis told Hindustan Times.
He highlighted that all-rounders give teams flexibility and resilience, allowing them to handle pressure situations more effectively.
Strategic importance in all formats
Kallis pointed out that multi-skilled players are vital not only for limited-overs cricket but across formats.
“So it plays a big role in that, you know, as well as balancing it out. So I think in any format, all-rounders are really important. However, particularly in the shorter version of the game, it does play a significant role,” he added.
He stressed that in shorter formats, all-rounders allow teams to bat deeper, rotate bowlers effectively, and maintain momentum throughout the innings.
