Kolkata : Indian Head coach Gautam Gambhir appeared in press conference ahead of Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. He shared some valuable insights regarding Rohit Sharma’s availability, Virat Kohli’s form, World Test Championship 2025 final and more.
True to his nature, Gambhir answered most questions in his signature straight forward way without shying. The 15-minute interaction provided many talking points, and it even made former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar making a suggestion to BCCI, asking the board to keep Gambhir away from interacting with the media as Rohit Sharma and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar, are more fit for the job.
KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM GAUTAM GAMBHIR PRESS CONFERENCE
(1) Rohit Sharma’s availability and stand-in captain in 1st Test
As per reports, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma is expecting his 2nd child and therefore is likely to miss the 1st Test at Perth.
Gambhir didn’t confirm fully regarding Rohit’s availability and said it will be clarified before the start of the series. However, he stated that in case Rohit is unavailable, Indian pacer and Test vice captain Jasprit Bumrah will be the captain in the Perth Test.
“At the moment there is no confirmation, but you guys will let you know exactly what the situation will be. Hopefully, he is going to be available, but everything you will get to know before the start of the series. Bumrah is vice captain; if Rohit is not available, he is going to be lead in Perth,” said Gambhir.
(2) “Not feeling the heat” as Indian Head coach
New Zealand whitewashed India 3-0 in their own backyard after 24 years. It also ended India’s 11 years undefeated home dominance in Test Cricket. Head coach Gambhir was heavily criticised as India faced the shameful record under his stint. There were also rumors regarding differences and rift between Gambhir and Indian skipper Rohit Sharma. However, he shut all rumors of rift between him and Rohit and said that he isn’t feeling the heat of coaching India, and he feels proud coaching the nation. He also sparked positivity on winning the series.
“What difference does social media make? What difference does it make in my life and or anyone’s life? And when I took up the job, I always think that it’s gonna be a highly difficult job and highly prestigious job as well and honestly, I don’t think as if I’m feeling the heat, because my job is to be absolutely honest. And there are some incredibly tough people in that dressing room. Achieved some great things for the country, and we will continue to achieve some things for the country. So it’s an absolute honour. Be it coaching them and coaching India,” said Gambhir.
“Obviously, the learning is that we accept that we were outplayed. I’m not gonna sit here and defend. I think we were up in all three departments. They were more professional, and we accept that. And I think the criticism, what we are receiving, I think we take it with both hands and we keep moving forward, keep getting better every day. And when you talk about being hands-on, I think my relationship with Rohit has been incredible. We’ve three test matches before we had an incredible Test match in Kanpur as well.So I know that we haven’t played test cricket but it doesn’t change anything that Australia is a new series. Australia is a new opponent and we go out there thinking that we’re going to definitely try and win the series,” he added.
(3) Not thinking of World Test Championship 2025 Final
After 3-0 defeat against New Zealand, India’s chances of going to WTC 2025 Final have comparatively reduced. They’ll have to defeat Australia 4-0/4-1/ 5-0 to progress into the final without depending on others. Talking about this, Gambhir said that Indian team’s main focus is on winning the series and not thinking about WTC final right now.
“Look, honestly, we are not looking at what’s going to happen in the World Test Championship. Whether we are going to qualify every series is important. As simple as it can get when you play for your country when you represent your country, every series is important, irrespective of what has happened in the past for us. I think, two good teams playing against each other, and obviously, we’re absolutely keen to go out there and perform and try and win the series.”
(4) ‘Don’t think team is in transition’
Gambhir stated that he is not focusing on any transition stuff, and his goal remains to win the series.
“Honestly, I am not even thinking the team is in transition. There are some incredibly tough people in the dressing room who will achieve big things in the future. Transition or no transition those things will continue to happen in Indian cricket,” said Gambhir.
(5) Replacement of Rohit Sharma as opener
Provided Indian skipper and opener Rohit Sharma misses the 1st Test, India have 2 opening options – veteran KL Rahul and Abhimanyu Easwaran, who’s yet to make India debut. As per Gambhir, either one of them might open for India.
“Obviously there is Abhimanyu Easwaran and there is KL Rahul there. So we will take a call, closer to the first Test match if Rohit is not available. There are options there. It’s not that there are not any options, but there are quite a lot of options in the squad. So once it gets close to the first Test match, we can plan the best playing 11,” said Gambhir.
The Indian coach also hinted Rahul’s chance of opening ahead of Easwaran in case of Rohit’s absence. He said, “I think he (Rahul) can do the job for us especially if Rohit is not available for the first Test.”
(6) Showing faith in KL Rahul
KL Rahul has faced constant criticisms after his lack of form recently in New Zealand Series and India A tour of Australia A in 2 match unofficial Tests. His place in the Indian playing 11 is also questioned. However, Gambhir has shown faith and praised him for his contributions to Indian Cricket and his quality to Bat at all positions.
“I think that is the quality of KL Rahul that he can actually bat at the top of the order. He can bat at number three and he can actually bat at number six as well. So you need quite a lot of talent doing these jobs as well. And he’s kept in one day format as well. Imagine how many countries have played like who can actually open the batting and can bat at number six as well. So I feel if it be, I think he can do the job for us especially if Rohit is not available for the first Test.”
(7) Gambhir slammed Ricky Ponting for comments on Virat Kohli
Former Australian legendary World Cup winning captain Ricky Ponting took a dig at Indian modern day great Virat Kohli’s, questioning his slack Test form, saying that there would be no other batter in international cricket, who could survive after scoring just two centuries in 5 years.
When asked about this comment, Gambhir defended Virat, saying, “I have got no concerns whatsoever for Virat and Rohit. What does Ponting have to do with Indian cricket? I think you should think about Australian cricket and what I have got no concern for Virat and Rohit and I think they are incredibly tough. They’ve achieved a lot for Indian cricket and they will continue to achieve a lot in future.For me the most important thing is that they still work really hard. They are still passionate, they still want to achieve a lot more and that is something which is very important.”
The Border Gavaskar Trophy will begin from November 22, 2024, with India eyeing to retain the series.
