Sports

Gambhir on Team India’s Resilience After First Innings Collapse

Head coach Gautam Gambhir addressed Team India’s fighting spirit following their shocking first innings total of just 46 runs against New Zealand. Despite the setback, Gambhir emphasized the team’s determination to pursue victory.

“That’s why we call cricket, or rather sports in general, a great leveller,” Gambhir remarked. “If you enjoy days like we had in Kanpur, then you also have to accept days like the one we had in Bengaluru. But the good thing was that even after being bowled out for 46, we were still looking to win the Test match. That was important, and that’s the kind of cricket we want to play.”

The former India opener highlighted the team’s commitment to playing positive cricket, stating that aiming for a win is always the priority. “I had said earlier that our first option is always to win, and the second option is a draw,” he noted. “If you look at the second innings as well, there was no intention of just playing for two and a half days. We were thinking about how we could win the game. In fact, if you ask me, we were probably 100 runs away from making the match.”

Gambhir’s comments underline a forward-thinking approach, even in the face of adversity. “I don’t think many teams would think that way after being bowled out for 46, when they still had to bat for more than two and a half days. But that’s the quality of cricket we want to play going forward,” he added.

As the team prepares for the next match in Pune, all eyes are on Gambhir and the Indian squad to see how they will respond. The series will continue in Mumbai at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, a venue that has witnessed many memorable moments in Indian cricket history.

image credit: The Cricket Launge

Akansha Chaturvedi