Who cares about social media, Gautam Gambhir fires back

India cricket team coach Gautam Gambhir spoke to the media ahead of departure to Australia, where India play five Test matches. Gambhir brushed aside suggestions that there is pressure on him and asserted that he is not worried over the form of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

Here are excerpts from his conversation with the media in Mumbai:

Pressure from social media due to loss against New Zealand…

What difference does social media make in my life or anyone’s life. When I took up this job, I knew it was going to be a highly difficult and =prestigious job. I don’t feel pressure because there are some great people in the dressing room who have achieved some great things for the country and will continue to achieve great things for the country. It is an absolute honour to coach the team.

The challenges awaiting you in Australia…

The challenge will be the conditions. As compared to when you play here at home, the conditions are going to be very different there. We feel the pressure, be it the support staff or players. But we have 10 days to get prepared and we have players with experience in Australia. We will be ready.

News on Rohit Sharma. Is he available for the first Test at Perth?

There is no confirmation at the moment but we will let you know. Hopefully he will be available but you’ll get to know about it before the start of the series. There are quite a lot of options for opening the batting in the squad. There is KL [Rahul], [Abhimanyu] Easwaran. We will take a call before the Test starts, we will play the best Test XI.

About World Test Championship final chances…

We are not even looking at what would happen at the World Test Championship. Every series is important when you represent your country.

India will play a day-night Test after four years. Is there a worry?

We have a nine-day gap before the day-night Test at Adelaide. We have a two-day game against Prime Minister’s XI (Nov 30-Dec 1). So I think there is going to be enough time for us to prepare for the Pink Ball Test (which begins on December 6). It is going to be exciting, lot of people look forward to it. It is a new thing, the venue is great for pink ball Test.

Would it have been better to field Harshit Rana for India A?

Harshit Rana has played a first-class game against Assam. We all thought that he has had enough bowling under his belt. We thought it is better in having him here (with the team for New Zealand Test in Mumbai) rather than sending him and making him play a first-class game. He needs to be fresh as well. It is going to be a long series, five-Test series. The bowling coach, physio and the staff thought he has had enough bowling under his belt.

Do you think Nitish Reddy can do what Shardul Thakur has done in past?

We have picked the best squad. We all know how incredibly talented Nitish Reddy is and given an option he will deliver for us. This is the best set of players.

Can KL Rahul open?

That is the quality of KL Rahul, he can open, bat at No. 3 and at No. 6. He can keep wickets too. How many countries have players like KL. If need arises he can do the job if Rohit doesn’t join the team. What the combination we have will be decided later.

Ricky Ponting has talked about pressure on senior players who are short of runs…

What does Ricky Ponting have to do with Indian cricket. He should think about Australian cricket. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are tough players, they have achieved a lot. The hunger in the dressing room is incredible.

The pace bowling attack...

We have quality. We have a couple of bowlers who can hit the deck. All five are very potent and can do the job.

After the series loss to New Zealand, did you have any conversation with youngsters?

The only conversation I have had with the experienced players, seniors, or youngsters is to keep Indian cricket ahead of their personal milestones. Because that is what the team sport is about.

 

Tags : Gautam Gambhir, India cricket team, Australia, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Nitish Reddy, Perth