Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir has shared his take on what can help the team undergo a smooth transition. With veteran players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli likely trimming down their workload in ODI and Test formats, it is now time for the young bloods to stake a claim for a place in the side with impressive performances.
India has gone through major ups and downs in 2024. To point out a few instances, India won the 2024 T20 World Cup but faced a shocking 3-0 test series clean sweep against New Zealand. The ongoing BGT saw the side starting off with a dominating victory, but is now down 1-2 heading into the final test in Sydney.
However, as per Gambhir, the Indian team will continue to remain in good stead if the honest people are taking some key decisions for them. On being asked whether the transition means getting youngsters into the side, Gambhir stated that only the player’s performance will help them keep their spots safe in the squad.
“I think Indian cricket will always be in safe hands till the time you’ve got honest people sitting in that room. And honesty is the most important thing for any transition. And it is not about phasing out senior players or getting the youngsters in,” Gambhir said in the pre-match press conference.
“Ultimately, the only thing that can keep you in that dressing room is the performance. And it starts from all of us. Not only from the players, from the coaches as well,” he added.
Gautam Gambhir feels transition is happening in both departments
The 43-year-old also pointed out that the transition is taking place simultaneously in both departments for the Indian team. He pointed out players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Nitish Reddy who have showed their merit in their debut tour to Australia.
Jaiswal is India’s top run-scorer in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with 359 runs, with a top score of 61. Meanwhile, Reddy slammed a sensational hundred in Melbourne and has amassed 294 runs.
Gambhir also lauded the likes of Washington Sundar and Akash Deep for their performances in the series.
“Yeah, it’s an exciting time in Indian cricket. I felt that when transitions happened in the past, there was one department that was carrying the team forward. But at the moment, if you see this transition, it’s happening in both departments. And it has already started. You see some younger fast bowlers coming in. You have got some younger batters who have been on their first tour to Australia and done exceptionally well.
“Look at Yashasvi Jaiswal, Nitish Reddy and Washington Sundar, who is on his second tour. Akash Deep has done really well. I think the conversations that have happened are only around how we can play well in this series,” he added.
It will be interesting to see who turns up the heat for India in the fifth and final test against Australia in Sydney, which takes place from January 3 to 7.
FAQs
How did Gautam Gambhir fare in Australia in tests?
181 runs in 4 games @22.62
What is Rohit Sharma’s test record Down Under?
439 runs in 10 games @24.38
