Gautam Gambhir opens up on outside noise, India's transition phase & rise of youngsters ahead of SL vs IND 2nd Test
(Courtesy : X.com/BCCI)
Gautam Gambhir addressed the press ahead of the India vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test in Colombo.
Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir has once again addressed the scrutiny around the Indian national team and their recent exploits in Test cricket. Gambhir has once again clarified the situation, backing his own insights over any outside noise, ahead of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo.
India won their first Test at Galle by a massive 165-run margin, where Devdutt Padikkal and Manav Suthar made an immediate impact with the bat and ball, respectively.
Ever since he was appointed the Indian head coach, Gambhir has held his nerve against outside criticism and has produced results with his unconventional tactics. However, under his coaching, India have struggled in the longest format of the game, facing defeat on several occasions even at home.
“My job is to win trophies, not likes”: Gautam Gambhir deprioritises external chatter
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Modern-day cricket is influenced not only by on-field activities but also by off-field events. Gambhir had to bear the heavy burden of external factors and criticism, especially when India were struggling to maintain their firm grip on their unbeaten Test record at home.
However, during the recent interview, Gambhir made his position on outside criticism very clear, stating that as the head coach, his responsibility is to win trophies for India rather than worrying about public reactions on social media.
The statement reflects Gambhir’s mental resolve that the coaching staff will remain focused on results and, when it comes, they will automatically silence the external chatter.
Gautam reveals his conversations with Ajit Agarkar
Gautam Gambhir did not mince his words when being asked about his conversations with the BCCI Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar.
The two have been part of the Indian management together throughout their careers, and with Agarkar’s tenure coming to an end, these might be the last few days of the former India teammates working under the same shade for the Men in Blue.
Gambhir clearly stated that his conversations with Agarkar are only related to the Indian team and its betterment by all means. He refrained from revealing any further insights into the conversations between the two senior minds of Indian cricket.
“We are not struggling” – Gambhir denies claims about India struggling in Tests
When questioned about India’s recent Test struggles, which obviously reflect the losses against South Africa at home, Gambhir refused to accept this and instead vehemently opposed it.
He stated that the team is currently going through a massive transition, and during such phases, occasional setbacks, which he called ‘blips’, are inevitable. He also added that their position in the ICC rankings doesn’t matter, and they have been playing stable cricket since the England tour.
“We are not struggling; rankings don’t matter. We are going through transition. There will be blips, but we have been playing consistent cricket since England.”
Gambhir looked impressed with Padikkal and Suthar’s performance at Galle
Undoubtedly, what Devdutt Padikkal and Manav Suthar produced at Galle was praiseworthy; however, Gambhir has never been a fan of praising individual efforts. He has always claimed that everything is done as a total unit in the game of cricket.
However, even the adamant Indian coach could not turn his head from acknowledging the brilliance of the two youngsters at Galle. He claimed that he is very satisfied with the outcomes but also stressed that there is still work to be done.
When will Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as head coach end?
Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as India’s head coach is scheduled to end in December 2027 after the conclusion of the ICC World Cup 2027.
How many Tests have India lost in the Gambhir era?
In Gautam Gambhir’s coaching tenure, India have lost 10 Test matches.
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Subhomoy Datta has been a sports writer since 2022. He holds a BSc in Microbiology from Rastraguru Surendranath College, WBSU, and is currently pursuing his master’s at NIT Surathkal. With a growing interest in sports journalism, he enjoys following the game closely and turning sporting moments into stories for fans.