NEW DELHI: Gautam Gambhir, former opening batsman for India and current KKR mentor, praised the high standard of IPL cricket while also claiming that the tournament should not be the way to go for budding cricketers who want to play for their country.
Gambhir, who played for India, emphasized on how important it is to strike a balance between the IPL and other domestic cricket events.
The 42-year-old believes that while the IPL offers invaluable exposure and experience, it must not downplay the role traditional formats and tournaments play in shaping young talents into accomplished cricketers.
In an interview with Ravichandran Ashwin’s YouTube channel Kutti Stories with Ash. Gambhir stated that “the bigger fear is about how many youngsters want to play Test cricket for India. I hope IPL is not a shortcut to playing for India.”
Gambhir also confirmed that the Indian Premier League has impacted positively on Indian domestic players.
“Today when I look at International T20 sides there are only two or three teams apart from that I don’t see enough competition playing for India,” he said.
“Very few teams in my opinion have got as much quality as what this Indian team has got. So, I think today’s day and age IPL is far more competitive than international T20 cricket.
“The only thing which has changed is just the quality of domestic players who instead of wanting to be part of something like they would ask you about T20 cricket always want you to come and play in a match.”
My fans come to watch my team win
After leading KKR (Kolkata Knight Riders) in winning two successive Indian premier league titles during 2012 & 2014 seasons, he returned this season as team mentor following his assisting of MS Dhoni & co. secure world cup glory back in 2011.
His reputation as someone who does not hold back on his thoughts earned him respect in his cricketing career.
Speaking about this, Gambhir said, “What rules I am breaking? I want to be as aggressive as possible. And what’s wrong with that?
“Now that’s my nature, character, because for me winning is an obsession and I’m obsessed with winning. So, That is the problem.”
Gambhir also explained that the only thing he cares about is leading his team to victory and he does not need to smile because fans come to watch him win.
“At times when people say – oh he doesn’t smile or have love. He always walks grumpy and edgy on the field like some old person with game face on,” she revealed.
“People don’t come here to see me smiling. Unfortunately people come here to see me win. This is kind of profession we guys are in. It’s not my fault.”
“I’m not a showbiz actor you know or Bollywood actor or corporate guy. I am a performer artiste of cricket.
“My job is I want to come back in a winning dressing room. Fortunately, unfortunately, a winning dressing room is a happy dressing room is a winning dressing.”
