IND vs AUS: Gambhir makes vital claims in the press conference before the BGT; ?I am not here to defend myself." Gautam Gambhir gives a straightforward response to a 3-0 whitewash at home against New Zealand
IND vs AUS: Team India?s Head Coach, Gautam Gambhir, attended the press conference before departing for India for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He talked on various matters, and among them was the 3-0 whitewash that his team suffered at the hands of New Zealand in a Test series at home.
Gambhir praised the Kiwis and accepted that his team were outplayed in all three departments. Hence, he does not want to defend anything and accepts the criticism.
?The learning is to accept that we were outplayed. I?m not here to defend myself. We were outmatched in all three departments. We accept the criticism with both hands,? said Gambhir at the press conference.
India suffered their first Test series loss at home since 2012, and their dominant record in home Test series was shattered. Indian fans were visibly upset and started criticizing the performance of the batters who failed miserably in the series. Moreover, this was also the first time that the team suffered a home Test series whitewash since the time they started playing Test cricket.
It was also reported that Gambhir, captain Rohit Sharma, Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, and President Roger Binny had a closed-door urgent meeting to assess the shocking result at home.
Reports indicated that India might have two head coaches: one for the white ball team and one for the red ball if they go on to lose the upcoming BGT very badly. Gambhir might be sacked as the red-ball coach, and VVS Laxman might replace him.
Gambhir backed KL Rahul and Jasprit Bumrah for the BGT
Gambhir went on to pick Abhimanyu Easwaran and KL Rahul as the backup openers for India, concerning India?s chances in the BGT if Rohit Sharma fails to travel early for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy owing to personal reasons.
KL Rahul?s versatility can be a huge factor for India; as said by Gambhir, only a player with huge talent can feature across so many positions, hence backing him as an opener or a middle-order batter.
Gambhir also confirmed that Jasprit Bumrah will be the player seen in the role of India?s skipper, in case Rohit Sharma is not available in the beginning games.
Gautam Gambhir also talked about India?s chances of qualifying for the WTC final
After the last home series whitewash, India now would need to head out of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a strong final lead of 4-0 over the hosts Australians.
Gambhir said that he and his team are not focused on the WTC final and want to win the upcoming BGT 2024/25.
?We are not looking at the points table. We are absolutely focused on the Border-Gavaskar series and win it,? Gautam Gambhir mentioned about his team?s further chances in the WTC final.
India has won the last two Test series in Australia and has retained the BGT since the 2014-15 series in Australia. The series will start on November 22, with the first match scheduled to be held in Perth. Rohit Sharma, the current skipper who missed on the current team that travelled to Australia, might miss the first few matches of the BGT.
ALSO READ: Citing security reasons, India denies travelling to Pakistan for the upcoming Champions Trophy; matches are to be shifted to Dubai
