Gautam Gambhir spoke to the press yesterday in Chennai in relation to the two-match Test series against Bangladesh commencing on Thursday. It’s understood that we will not throw away chances in the upcoming match against Bangladesh, who most recently beat Pakistan in their last game – Gambhir asserted.
In response to this, Gambhir added, “The winning style is the best style.”
The senior members of the squad were highlighted in particular, who have most aficionados soft on it, including the spin kings Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, who will play a key role in India’s plans. “We are glad that Ashwin and Jadeja are fit and on our team” – Gautam Gambhir gave tribute to their talents as they are useable on most spin tracks.
Although India does have quite a stock of players, gambhir hinted at a further wait for young Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel who look up to garner their opportunities suggesting that KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant as among the current middle order brigade do not give up their fight for importance in the line-up.
Due to his experience as a player, Gautam Gambhir has seen many senior players in the current squad and stated that he wants to use such connections for positive use in his coaching career.
“I have played cricket with a lot of guys in this team. My relationship with all the senior players is good,” Gambhir noted.
But quite blatant was the fact that Bengali Tiger is not going to take the Indian Cricket team lightly, Gambhir explained in such words. “We respect Bangladesh but we will play the game that a champion side does,” he said, reiterating the importance of keeping India on the front foot for the entire series.
Adding to the growth of cricket in India, Gautam Gambhir observed that there has been a transformation from the traditional reliance on batters to a more bowler-centric team. The emergence of bowlers such as Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Ashwin and Jadeja transformed India into a Super Bowling Form.
” India was a batting-obsessed nation but Bumrah, Ashwin, Shami and Jadeja turned it into a bowlers’ game,” retorted Gambhir.
As for Bumrah, the coach was very complimentary and referred to him as the “world’s best fast bowler” adding that Bumrah could win or change the result of the match at any time.
Responding to the speculation that the players have started treating the IPL more seriously than performing their national duties, Gambhir was quick to brush aside such ideas stating that the present team is completely devoted to the cause of India’s cricket.
He was also confident in the batting of players of the Indian team against the spin which we have seen he ruled out any problems arising with the opposing bowlers.
Since Gautam Gambhir remained unambiguous about maintaining a champion mindset and maximizing the strengths of the squad, the Indian Team looks ready to head into the Test series against Bangladesh with positive and serious intent to build on the winning streak.
