Cricket

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir has expressed his unwavering support for under-fire batter K.L. Rahul, emphasizing that the team management's opinion holds more weight than social media criticism. Rahul's recent struggles, including a duck in the first innings and a meager 12 in the second innings of the opening Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru, have drawn widespread criticism.However, Gambhir remains confident in Rahul's abilities, stating that "social media does not matter one bit." He highlighted Rahul's impressive knock of 68 in the first innings of the Kanpur Test against Bangladesh as evidence of his batting prowess. "He is batting really well," Gambhir asserted. "He has capability of scoring runs. That's why he has been backed by the team."Despite Gambhir's support, Rahul's place in the team is under scrutiny following Sarfaraz Khan's maiden century in the first Test. Khan's performance has made the competition for batting spots more intense, and Rahul will need to deliver in the second match to retain his place.New Zealand currently holds a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after their eight-wicket victory in Bengaluru. The defeat was a humbling experience for India, who had previously swept Bangladesh 2-0, including a rain-affected victory in Kanpur."Cricket, sports are a big leveller," Gambhir said of the Bengaluru loss. "If we have enjoyed days like Kanpur we had to endure what happened in Bengaluru. We didn't show any intention to bat out the remainder of the two and a half days."India's batting collapse in Bengaluru, where they were dismissed for a record-low 46 in the first innings, has raised concerns about the team's ability to compete against a strong New Zealand side. Gambhir acknowledged the need for improvement, stating that "everyone is judged. International cricket is all about being judged."

Ravindra Jadeja's exceptional left-arm spin, combined with his fielding prowess and batting contributions, has solidified his position as India's premier Test spinner. With the Pune pitch expected to favor spinners significantly more than the Bengaluru surface, New Zealand may opt to include Mitchell Santner in their playing XI.According to Ryan ten Doeschate, India's assistant coach, there is optimism that Rishabh Pant will be fit to resume wicketkeeping duties in the second Test after sustaining a knee injury in the series opener. However, a selection battle is brewing between middle-order batters KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan, with head coach Gautam Gambhir keen on giving Rahul an extended run.India's team selection remains a closely guarded secret, with the home side keeping their cards close to their chest. The team is eager to bounce back from their 0-1 deficit in the three-match series, not only to level the series but also to maintain their hopes of reaching the World Test Championship final.

India's humiliating 46-all out collapse in the first Test against New Zealand has sparked severe criticism from former cricketer Manoj Tiwary. Tiwary lambasted the team's selection and decision-making, particularly the bizarre choice to bat despite a rain-washed day.Tiwary questioned the logic behind captain Rohit Sharma's decision, emphasizing that common sense should have prevailed. He argued that the team should have opted for three pacers and given more overs to Ravichandran Ashwin, who has over 500 Test wickets.Tiwary also criticized coach Gautam Gambhir for failing to guide Sharma in his selection process. He pointed out that Sharma himself admitted to misreading the pitch, which could have been avoided with proper guidance."Good captains make mistakes, but the coach's role is crucial in providing constant guidance," Tiwary said. "I don't know why that didn't happen."Tiwary expressed concern about the impact on pacer Akash Deep, who was dropped from the XI after an impressive performance in the Bangladesh series. He suggested that Deep's confidence may have been shattered by the decision.With two Tests remaining in the series, Tiwary urged India to make a comeback. He emphasized the need for better decision-making and a more balanced approach to team selection.

Pakistan's recent struggles in Test cricket, coupled with early exits from the last ODI and T20 World Cups, have raised concerns about the management of the sport by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the development of domestic talent.Despite a promising performance in the ongoing second Test against England in Multan, Pakistan lost the first Test despite scoring over 500 runs in their first innings. They were also swept 2-0 at home by Bangladesh in the preceding series.In response to the team's poor form, the PCB has appointed a new selection committee, reducing its size from seven to five members. Led by former pacer Aaqib Javed, the committee includes Aleem Dar, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, and Hassan Cheema. The captain and head coach have been stripped of their voting rights in the selection process.Aaqib Javed, who played in numerous memorable India-Pakistan matches, recently met with India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir. Javed revealed that Gambhir expressed concerns about Pakistan's decline."We met the Indian players during our series against Sri Lanka. Gautam Gambhir asked me, 'Aaqib bhai, what has happened to Pakistan cricket? There is so much talent, we all see it, but what have they done?'" said Javed.Javed believes that Pakistan's fall has diminished the excitement of India-Pakistan encounters. "He (Gambhir) also feels sorry about it, because there are a few (top-level) teams, and the Pakistan-India matches provide the biggest thrill. So if your team (Pakistan) falls like that, then one of the game's biggest matches loses its charm.""People in the ICC laugh about it," he added.The PCB's decision to revamp the selection committee and the concerns raised by Gautam Gambhir highlight the urgent need for Pakistan to address its cricket management and talent development strategies.

The post-Rahul Dravid era in Indian cricket has witnessed a shift towards a more aggressive approach, spearheaded by head coach Gautam Gambhir. As the team prepares for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand, the focus has shifted to the bowling department, with Gambhir emphasizing the importance of bowlers in determining match outcomes.With Jasprit Bumrah appointed as vice-captain, India's priorities are clear. However, the absence of Mohammed Shami due to an ankle injury has created a void that the team is looking to fill. Akash Deep has emerged as a potential candidate, having displayed consistency and accuracy in his short Test career.Mohammed Siraj, once a rising star, has faced challenges in 2024, with his wicket-taking ability declining. The New Zealand series provides him with an opportunity to regain form and build momentum ahead of the crucial Australia tour.India has also named three pacers as reserves: Harshit Rana, Mayank Yadav, and Prasidh Krishna. While their inclusion in the starting XI is unlikely, they represent India's long-term strategy, particularly with the Australia tour in mind.The New Zealand series will serve as a valuable preparation ground for the reserves, allowing them to familiarize themselves with the team environment and prepare for the challenges of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir, has declared his unwavering support for an aggressive "high risk, high reward" approach in Test cricket, even if it occasionally leads to low scores. This philosophy was evident in India's recent victory over Bangladesh in Kanpur, where they chased down a target in a rain-affected match.Gambhir believes that this approach allows batters to maximize their potential and score quickly, potentially leading to match-winning performances. He acknowledges that there will be setbacks, but he is willing to accept them as part of the pursuit of success.However, Gambhir emphasizes that adaptability remains crucial. He wants his team to be able to adjust their strategy based on the situation, whether it's pushing for a win or securing a draw. He believes that this flexibility is essential for growth and success in Test cricket.Gambhir is confident in his team's ability to handle any challenge, including the upcoming three-match Test series against New Zealand. He acknowledges the Kiwis' strength but insists that India will play "hard cricket" to achieve their desired results.Despite the upcoming challenges, including a five-Test series against Australia, Gambhir remains focused on the immediate task at hand. He believes that the team's primary goal is to win the World Test Championship in June 2025, and that the upcoming matches are crucial steps towards that objective.

Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc has heaped praise on India coach Gautam Gambhir, describing him as a brilliant strategist who prioritizes the team's needs and seeks to gain an edge through tactical adjustments. Starc's admiration stems from his experience working with Gambhir as a mentor for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier this year.Under Gambhir's guidance, KKR enjoyed a dominant season, culminating in their first IPL title in a decade. Starc was impressed by Gambhir's ability to analyze opponents and devise strategies to exploit their weaknesses. "He's always thinking about the opponent and how to get them out as a bowling attack or how to score runs as a batting attack," Starc said.Gambhir's focus extends beyond individual players, emphasizing the importance of team cohesion and identifying subtle adjustments that can provide an advantage. "It's not just individual players, it's always about the team focus and how to get on top of little things that he might see in techniques or in a field placement or anything like that," Starc added.KKR acquired Starc for a record-breaking Rs 24.75 crore, making him the most expensive buy in IPL history. Despite a modest league stage performance, Starc proved his worth with match-winning spells in the knockout rounds. "The nine weeks that I spent with him were fantastic. In a T20 setup, I know that he's got some good things," Starc said.However, the two will find themselves on opposite sides when Australia hosts India in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting in Perth next month. Starc acknowledged that Gambhir's tactical acumen will pose a significant challenge for the Australian team.

India's Gautam Gambhir Emphasizes Bowlers' Importance in Modern CricketIn the lead-up to the first Test match between India and New Zealand at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, head coach Gautam Gambhir has highlighted the crucial role of bowlers in the modern era of cricket. Gambhir believes that the "obsessed" mentality of batters needs to end, as bowlers now hold the key to victory.Over the past decade, Test cricket has witnessed a gradual shift from batsman-dominated matches to those where bowlers have taken center stage. The recent Test match between India and Bangladesh in Kanpur served as a stark reminder of this evolution. Despite losing over two days of play due to rain and a soggy outfield, India adopted an aggressive approach from the outset, bowling out Bangladesh for 20 wickets to secure a historic victory.Gambhir emphasized that the era of batters dominating Test matches is over. "That era is past. This is the era of bowlers. Batters only set up matches. This batsman-obsessed attitude of ours needs to end," he said at a press conference in Bengaluru.According to Gambhir, even if batters score a large number of runs, victory is not guaranteed. However, if the bowling unit takes 20 wickets, the team's triumph is almost assured. "If a batter even scores 1,000 runs, it doesn't guarantee victory. But if a bowler takes 20 wickets, then there is a 99 per cent guarantee that we will win the Test match," he explained.Gambhir believes that bowlers win matches and tournaments, and that this mindset needs to change. "In this era, we will talk more about bowlers compared to batters, and I hope this mindset changes," he added.Historically, matches between the 1950s and 1990s often ended in draws, even when batters were able to stay on the crease for extended periods. However, recent results indicate a shift in the balance of power towards bowlers.In the recent Test in Multan, Pakistan posted a mammoth 550 runs on the scoreboard. However, England responded with a remarkable 823/7, declaring their innings and setting the bowlers the task of securing an innings and 47 runs victory, which they duly achieved.The upcoming Test match between India and New Zealand in Bengaluru promises to be a fascinating contest between bat and ball. India boasts a bowling attack that combines skill and experience, and it will be interesting to see how they fare against the formidable New Zealand batting lineup.

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir has expressed unwavering confidence in Virat Kohli, despite the star batter's recent struggles with form. Gambhir emphasized Kohli's unwavering commitment and hunger for the game, highlighting his consistent performances over a prolonged period."Virat is a world-class cricketer who has performed exceptionally well for a long time," Gambhir said. "His hunger to succeed remains as strong as when he first debuted."Gambhir believes that Kohli's ability to score consistently once he gets going will soon lead to a return to form. "That hunger is what makes him a world-class cricketer," Gambhir said. "I am confident that he will be eager to score runs in the upcoming series against New Zealand and Australia."Gambhir stressed the importance of supporting players throughout the season, rather than judging them based on individual performances. "Everyone has off days," he said. "We need to back our players and select the best playing 11, not drop anyone based on a single game."India is set to play eight Test matches in the near future, and Gambhir believes this period is crucial for the team's performance. "This is an opportunity for the team to perform well in a series of Test matches," he said. "I am confident that everyone is hungry and ready to deliver."India's squad for the three Tests against New Zealand includes Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep.New Zealand's squad includes Tom Latham (C), Tom Blundell (WK), Michael Bracewell (1st Test only), Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi (2nd and 3rd Test only), Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, and Will Young.