With the much-anticipated India vs New Zealand Test series set to kick off on October 16 at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir has made waves with his strong remarks on the team’s batting approach. Addressing the media before the series, Gambhir made it clear that he intends to back his players fully and encourage them to play bold, high-risk cricket.
Gambhir’s statements came just after India’s clean sweep over Bangladesh, where the team displayed aggressive batting in the rain-affected Kanpur Test, winning by seven wickets despite two days being washed out.
No Change in Batting Style for Team India
In his press conference, Gambhir stated that Team India would continue with the aggressive style of play they have adopted in recent times. He is firm on not controlling the natural game of his batsmen. Instead, he believes that risk-taking will bring bigger rewards, and while there may be days when the team collapses, he is willing to take that chance.
“We will continue to encourage our players to play high-risk cricket,” Gambhir said. “There will be days when we get bowled out for 100 runs, but we must accept that. The more risk we take, the more likely we are to score 400 to 500 runs in a day, and that’s the mindset we want to carry forward.”
Moving Forward with a New Test Cricket Mindset
Gambhir emphasized that for India to move forward in Test cricket, the team must learn to adapt and push boundaries. Reflecting on India’s batting against Bangladesh, Gambhir praised the team’s rapid scoring and said that his players will continue to focus on putting pressure on the opposition by scoring quickly, no matter the conditions.
He explained, “We don’t want to hold our batsmen back. If they can play their natural game and score big in a short time, that’s exactly what we want. Our goal is to score big runs, but if the situation arises where we need to bat for two days to draw a match, we will be ready to do that as well.”
Tough Challenge Ahead Against New Zealand
Looking ahead to the New Zealand series, Gambhir acknowledged the tough challenge that awaits his team. The New Zealand team, known for their disciplined approach and strong bowling attack, could pose serious competition for India. However, Gambhir remains confident in his side’s ability to take the game to the Kiwis.
“We know New Zealand is a very good team with excellent players who can hurt us. These three Test matches will be a tough challenge, but we’re ready to face it. Whether it’s New Zealand or any other team, we want to win every match for our country,” Gambhir said.
Despite the challenge, Gambhir’s main focus is on the current series and not thinking too far ahead. For him, each match is an opportunity to continue evolving the team’s style of play.
What Kind of Team India Does Gambhir Want?
Gambhir has a clear vision for Team India in Test cricket. He wants a team that can not only score runs at a quick pace but also adapt when needed. He explained that there are many players in the squad who have the capability to bat for long periods, and while the first objective is always to win, drawing a match remains a possibility when necessary.
“I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again—we want a team that can score 400 runs in a day and can bat for two days if needed to draw a match. That’s the kind of versatility we need to succeed in Test cricket.”
Conclusion
With Gambhir’s bold approach and confidence in his players, the upcoming India vs New Zealand Test series promises to be an exciting contest. Fans can expect aggressive cricket, with Team India aiming to take calculated risks and push the limits of their abilities to secure victories.
