Cricket

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir, while preparing for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, has expressed his admiration for Sanju Samson's recent performances in South Africa. Despite not being directly involved in the South African tour, Gambhir acknowledged Samson's talent and the support he has received."It's not about me," Gambhir said. "It's his ability. He's been given the right number and backing, and he's worked hard. What he's doing for Indian cricket is just the start."Samson's century in the first T20I against South Africa made him the first Indian to score consecutive tons in the shortest format. Gambhir believes this is a positive sign for Indian cricket."Some of the young players are really coming through, which is always healthy," he said.Gambhir is now focused on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which will be crucial for India's World Test Championship final hopes. He believes the team's experience will be invaluable."We have got a lot of experienced players who have been to Australia a lot many times," he said. "Their experience will come in handy for the young players as well."Gambhir emphasized the importance of being prepared for the first Test."These 10 days are going to be very crucial," he said. "Come the 22nd morning, we should be absolutely ready and ready to fire from ball one."

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir has exuded confidence in his team's ability to conquer any type of wicket prepared by Australia in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT). Gambhir asserted that the Indian Test squad possesses the versatility to counter any surface.India will embark on a five-match series against Australia, commencing on November 22 in Perth. Gambhir, who departed for Australia on Monday with the second batch of Indian players, emphasized that the team is well-equipped to handle any pitch conditions."We don't control the wickets, we are ready for any kind of wicket. It's their wish whatever they want to give. We are ready for any kind of condition and our bases are covered," Gambhir declared. "If we play cricket to our best potential, then we can beat them."India will arrive in Australia 10 days prior to the first Test, providing ample time for acclimatization and practice on the bouncy Perth pitches. The team has canceled its practice match against India A to maximize net time and will train at the WACA. The match will be held at the Optus Stadium."I think 10 days, if we can get good, proper preparation before the start of the series, I think we're going to be in really good shape. We've got a lot of experienced players who've been to Australia a lot many times. So their experience will come in handy for the young players as well," Gambhir said."I'm sure these 10 days are going to be very crucial. Come the 22nd morning, I think we should be absolutely ready and ready to fire from ball one," the head coach added.Despite a disappointing 0-3 home Test series loss to New Zealand and the recent struggles of senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Gambhir remains optimistic about India's chances. He believes that the team's experience and versatility will be key to success.

Team India's head coach Gautam Gambhir addressed the media ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, shedding light on various topics. Despite facing critical questions, Gambhir remained composed and provided insights into the team's plans for the Australia tour.Regarding Rohit Sharma's availability for the opening Test in Perth, Gambhir remained non-committal. However, he confirmed that Jasprit Bumrah would lead the team if Sharma missed out. "We will let you know exactly what the situation will be. Hopefully, he is going to be available," Gambhir said.Gambhir also discussed the opening partnership, stating that KL Rahul and Abhimanyu Easwaran were the top candidates to partner Yashasvi Jaiswal if Sharma was unavailable. He emphasized the importance of a strong opening partnership in setting the tone for the innings.Gambhir defended his players, particularly senior players who have faced criticism for their recent form. He expressed confidence in their abilities and highlighted the need for support and encouragement.However, former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar expressed his disapproval of Gambhir's press conference performance. Manjrekar suggested that Gambhir lacked the appropriate demeanor and communication skills for such interactions. He recommended that the BCCI consider keeping Gambhir away from press conferences and allowing him to focus on his behind-the-scenes role.Despite Manjrekar's criticism, Gambhir remained focused on the task at hand. He outlined the team's plans for the Australia tour, emphasizing the importance of preparation and adaptability. He expressed optimism about the team's chances of success and urged fans to support the players.

Gautam Gambhir, the head coach of the Indian cricket team, has faced criticism on social media following the team's recent series loss to New Zealand. However, Gambhir remains unfazed, emphasizing the prestigious nature of his position and the need for honesty.Ahead of the team's departure to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Gambhir addressed the criticism during a press conference in Mumbai. "Social media makes no difference in my life or anyone's life," he stated. "When I took up this job, I knew it would be challenging and prestigious. I don't feel the heat because my job is to be absolutely honest."Gambhir highlighted the resilience and commitment of the Indian players. "There are incredibly tough people in that dressing room who have achieved great things for the country and will continue to do so," he said. "It's an absolute honor to coach them and coach India."Despite the recent setbacks, Gambhir remains focused on leading the team through challenges and achieving success on the global stage. India needs to win four Tests in Australia to qualify directly for the World Test Championships final at Lord's in June 2025.Gambhir's unwavering determination and emphasis on honesty reflect his commitment to the team's growth and success. As the Indian team embarks on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Gambhir's leadership and the players' resilience will be crucial in overcoming challenges and achieving their goals.

Varun Chakaravarthy, the enigmatic spinner, has shed light on his three-year hiatus from international cricket, describing it as a "tough" period. He credits his return to form to the domestic grind and the clarity of role provided by new head coach Gautam Gambhir.In the second T20I against South Africa, the 33-year-old achieved career-best figures of 5 for 17. However, India suffered a three-wicket defeat in a low-scoring thriller."Definitely, the last three years were a little tough," Chakaravarthy said. "The only thing I could do was play lots of cricket. And I started playing a lot of the domestic league (TNPL) in India. And that definitely helped me understand my game better. And that's what helped me."As a member of the Kolkata Knight Riders, Chakaravarthy won the IPL title last season under the leadership of Gambhir, who was then appointed head coach of the Indian team. Chakaravarthy said Gambhir gave him guidance during the Bangladesh tour, helping him regain form."Yes, we played the Bangladesh tour and he was coaching the team. And definitely we spoke a lot and he gave me a lot of role clarity. He told me, even if you go for 30-40 runs, it doesn't matter. All you have to look is to pick wickets. So that's your role in the team. And yeah, the clarity which they gave definitely helped me."Chakaravarthy's remarkable spell helped reduce South Africa to 66 for 6 while they pursued a modest target of 125. However, a determined partnership between Tristan Stubbs (47) and Gerald Coetzee (19) guided the hosts home in 19 overs, ending India's 11-match winning streak.Chakaravarthy revealed that during the innings break, skipper Suryakumar Yadav urged the team to focus on giving their all without dwelling on the result. "During the innings break, Surya (skipper) came and told us that let's not think about the result and let's just go all out. And that's what we tried to do. We did our best and we could have pulled it off.""Obviously, the mindset has to be aggressive when the score is low. You have to pick wickets and that's when we can win the match. That has to be my approach in the next two games also because it's going to be a do-or-die match for us," he said.Performing well against a strong team like South Africa, according to Chakaravarthy, will give him confidence going into the remaining games. "Definitely, when we came to South Africa, we knew that it's going to be a challenging tour because the Proteas, they are one of the best teams right now and they have a powerful batting lineup.""Doing well against them definitely gives me motivation to do more better and definitely I can. Hopefully I can do well in the upcoming games."India will face South Africa in the third and final T20Is on Wednesday and Friday at Centurion and Johannesburg, respectively.

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir has expressed unwavering confidence in skipper Rohit Sharma and star batter Virat Kohli, asserting that they remain "incredibly hungry" to perform and will bounce back in Australia.Gambhir's comments come amidst concerns over India's recent 0-3 whitewash at home against New Zealand. However, the coach dismissed theories that he is under pressure, stating that he is honored to lead the Indian team."There are incredible people in the dressing room who have done a great job," Gambhir said. "I am not feeling the heat. It's an honor and privilege to coach the Indian team."Gambhir emphasized that the team is not undergoing a transition but is focused on the upcoming five-Test series against Australia. He acknowledged the presence of "incredibly tough characters" in the dressing room who are eager to prove themselves.Regarding the series-opening Perth Test, Gambhir confirmed that Jasprit Bumrah, as the designated vice-captain, will lead the side if Rohit Sharma is unavailable for personal reasons. He also mentioned that KL Rahul and Abhimanyu Easwaran are options for the opener's slot.Gambhir's unwavering support for Sharma and Kohli is significant, given their recent struggles with form. Sharma has not scored a century in over a year, while Kohli has not reached the three-figure mark in international cricket since November 2019.However, Gambhir believes that both players have the experience and determination to overcome their challenges. He pointed out that they have been through similar situations in the past and have always emerged stronger."They are still incredibly hungry to perform," Gambhir said. "They are not going to give up. They are going to keep fighting and keep trying to get better."India's tour of Australia will be a major test for the team, especially after their disappointing performance against New Zealand. However, Gambhir's confidence in his players suggests that they are ready to face the challenge head-on.

Team India Prepares for Border-Gavaskar Trophy with Pre-Departure Press ConferenceAhead of the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir will address the media in a pre-departure press conference on Monday at 9:00 AM at Ballroom 4, ITC Maratha in Mumbai.The press conference will provide an opportunity for Gambhir to discuss the team's preparations, strategies, and expectations for the challenging Test series. The Indian contingent will depart for Australia in two batches on November 10 and 11, with the first Test scheduled to begin in Perth on November 22.The tour will feature a highlight in the form of the pink-ball, day-night Test at Adelaide Oval from December 6 to 10. The third Test will take place at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 14 to 18, followed by the traditional Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26 to 30. The fifth and final Test is slated for January 3 in Sydney.India has enjoyed consecutive Test series wins in Australia, first under Virat Kohli's leadership in 2018-19 and then under Ajinkya Rahane in 2020-21. With Rohit Sharma now at the helm, the team will be aiming for a historic third straight series win on Australian soil.The press conference will provide insights into the team's mindset, preparations, and expectations for the upcoming series. Gambhir is expected to discuss the team's strengths, weaknesses, and strategies for countering the formidable Australian team.

Former India batter Aakash Chopra has vehemently dismissed rumors suggesting that head coach Gautam Gambhir could be ousted if the team fails to perform in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. These rumors emerged after India's humiliating whitewash at home by New Zealand, marking their first Test series loss on home soil in nearly 12 years.A report in Dainik Jagran had claimed that Gambhir could be removed from his role in Test cricket if India fails to impress in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which begins on November 22. The report also speculated that former India batter and current National Cricket Academy (NCA) chief VVS Laxman could be asked to take over.However, Chopra has strongly refuted this narrative, labeling it as "malicious intent." He emphasized that it is premature to consider such drastic measures after Gambhir's recent appointment as head coach."I feel it is an absolute rumor. This news seems absolutely baseless that if Team India doesn't perform well in Border-Gavaskar Trophy, then change the coach. Have different coaches for different formats. I'd say it's a little too soon. I see this rumor being floated around with malicious intent. Gambhir has just been made the head coach. It does not happen like this that if players are not performing, fire the coach. This is not the way. I do not agree with this thinking at all. I am discarding this kind of report," Chopra stated in a video on his YouTube channel.Nevertheless, Chopra acknowledged that Gambhir should be held accountable for the team's recent performance, given that the BCCI had granted all his requests, including the appointment of his own coaching staff."Whatever Gautam asked for, the BCCI gave him. Publicly, Gautam had said in the past that Team India should have Indian coaches but when he asked for Ryan ten Doeschate and Morne Morkel, the board agreed. When Gautam asked for senior players in Sri Lanka, the board said yes to it. Liberty was given in making pitches as well. When so much happens, then accountability is obvious," he added.India's tour of Australia will commence with the first Test in Perth on November 22. The team will be eager to redeem themselves after their disappointing home series against New Zealand.

Gautam Gambhir's tenure as Team India's head coach has hit a roadblock, with the team suffering a series loss in Sri Lanka and a clean sweep at home against New Zealand in Tests. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly considering a change in leadership if India fails to perform in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.Gambhir's appointment as head coach came after a successful stint with Kolkata Knight Riders, where he led the team to a title victory. However, his tenure with the national team has been marked by disappointing results. The ODI series loss in Sri Lanka was followed by a humiliating 0-3 defeat against New Zealand in the Test series at home.The BCCI is reportedly considering replacing Gambhir as Test coach with a specialist like VVS Laxman, while retaining him for white-ball cricket. This decision would be based on India's performance in Australia.According to reports, Gambhir and the team's think-tank have had disagreements over team selection and other decisions. These differences have reportedly created a rift within the team, which could impact their performance in the upcoming series.Gambhir recently met with BCCI selection committee chief Ajit Agarkar and India's ODI and Test skipper Rohit Sharma to discuss the team's recent performances. The meeting reportedly focused on the factors that contributed to the Test series loss against New Zealand.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia will be a crucial test for Gambhir's future as Test coach. If India fails to perform, the BCCI may be forced to make a change in leadership.