Mohammad Kaif has urged India head coach Gautam Gambhir to avoid pressing the panic button after the Lord’s setback. He pointed out that there is no need to make changes after every game, and the management will have to support the current group of players. The defeat in the third Test will put pressure on the visiting team, who find themselves 1-2 down in the five-match series.

Kaif is not in favour of the chopping and changing policy and wants the team to play the same playing XI. He is backing Karun Nair for another match.

“When India lose, they panic. When they win, the playing XI is retained. After losing the first Test, 2-3 changes were made. But after winning the second game, Bumrah came in and there were no other changes. This has been the pattern. I think they should persist with Karun Nair in the fourth Test as he is getting starts. He deserves another chance. This is the test for Gautam Gambhir and Shubman Gill. Are they going to panic or will they trust the players?” Kaif said.

He praised the Indian National Cricket Team for dominating the games so far. “India have dominated 12-13 out of 15 days. They are playing solid cricket with the bat and ball. Most of the experts predicted 4-0 win for England but India have surprised everyone,” he added.

Kaif also opined on the captaincy of Shubman Gill, who is leading for the first time in the longest format of the game.

“There is no Virat, Rohit, Shami, and Ashwin but the team has done well. They lost two close Tests. Shubman Gill has led from the front as a captain and batter. There were doubts on his ability to perform in English conditions, but he has given a reply with his bat. With a bit of luck, India could have won all the three Tests,” he concluded.