“Never expected very easy run for me”: Gambhir on rough start to coaching career

Friday, 1 November 2024 00:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

India head coach Gautam Gambhir expressed disappointment in losing the New Zealand series but was adamant that it would help the players grow.

India faced a significant setback in Pune, suffering a 113-run defeat to New Zealand in the second Test, which sealed a 2-0 series loss. This defeat marked the end of India’s remarkable 12-year unbeaten streak on home soil, during which they secured 18 consecutive Test series victories. Head coach Gautam Gambhir did not hold back in expressing his disappointment.

“I never expected a very easy run for me. I know that we lost in Sri Lanka and against NZ and it is not a good place to be. All we can do is keep working hard and we will try winning every game that we play to represent the country.

“I am not going to sugar coat this. Obviously, it’s hurting. And it’s good that it’s hurting because it should hurt. Every time you lose a game, be it at home or be it away from home, it should hurt. That hurt will make us better.

“Sometimes people say that it should not hurt. But it should hurt when you’re playing for your country” said Gambhir However, Gambhir believes that the hurt the youngsters in the team feel will be a learning experience for them early in their careers.

“Especially for the youngsters, it’s hurting them, I am sure they are going to push themselves to keep getting better. Because that is exactly what we want them to be. Pushing themselves every day to be a better cricketer. And to do something special, because if we have results like what we had in Kanpur, then we might as well have results like this. And take that hurt and keep moving forward.”

Despite the back-to-back losses, India are still No.1 on the ICC World Test Championship table, and a win in the final Test will boost their points percentage putting them in a better position when they take on Australia in November.

Gambhir reiterated that dead rubbers are a thing of the past in Test cricket, with teams fighting hard for WTC points. He also highlighted the influence of T20 cricket, and how it’s impacting the way Test matches are approached and played.

“Every Test match has an importance but it also has a lot to do with T20 cricket as well. Gone are those days where we’ll see a lot of draws in Test cricket because the quality of batters and the hitting ability (has changed). Probably has a lot to do with playing on flat wickets in T20,” he said speaking about the decline in good defensive game in Test cricket.

“We need to keep tightening our game, but you will see – probably going forward in future, we’ll have the same issues with a lot of other teams as well. Because the more the T20 cricket is played, the less people will start defending.”

Gambhir feels India’s sole focus now should be on claiming the third Test. “Try and win. I think as simple as it can get. More importantly, we should try and win this Test match so that we can go to Australia with a win under our belt. And more importantly, it’s another great opportunity for people to do something special for the country.”

The third and final Test begins in Mumbai on Friday, 1 November.