The Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir has accepted that his team was outplayed by New Zealand at home.
India suffered a 0-3 defeat and dropped to second spot in the WTC points table. India will be needing 4-0 victory if they need to qualify automatically for the WTC finals in the summer.
Meanwhile, A part of Indian team along with Abhishek Nayar has departed to Australia on November 10 which includes fast bowlers Siraj and Akash Deep, All-rounder Washington Sundar, middle order batter Sarfaraz Khan and opening batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal were part of the group.
Addressing the media ahead of India’s departure to Australia, Gambhir took the full blame for the defeat and also downplayed the critcism he received on social media.
“What difference does it make in my life and for anyone’s life?” Gambhir said on the social media criticism.
“When I took up this job, I always thought that it’s going to be a highly difficult job and a highly prestigious job as well.”
Honestly, I don’t think as if I’m feeling the heat because my job is to be absolutely honest and there are some incredibly tough people in that dressing room who have achieved some great things for the country and will continue to achieve some great things for the country.”
“So it’s an absolute honour to be coaching them and coaching India,” Gautam Gambhir said.
“Obviously the learnings is that we accept that we were outplayed. I’m not going to sit here and defend. I think we were outplayed in all the three departments.”
“They were more professional and we accept that. And I think the criticism what we are receiving, I think we take it with both hands. And we keep moving forward, keep getting better every day.”
“Three Test matches before we had an incredible Test match in Kanpur as well. I know that we haven’t played our best cricket, but it doesn’t change anything. Australia is a new series, Australia is a new opponent. And we go out there thinking that we’re going to definitely try and win the series.”
Gautam Gambhir also spoke about Rohit Sharma’s availability for the first test. “Look, at the moment, there is no confirmation. We’ll let you guys know what the situation is. Hopefully, he is going to be available. But everything you will get to know at the start of the series,” Gambhir said in the press conference.
Gautam Gambhir also highlighted the backup options India have in case Rohit misses the test at Perth.
“Obviously, there is Easwaran, there is KL Rahul. We will take a call ahead of the 1st Test if Rohit is unavailable. There are options there. It’s not like there are no options. Once we get closer to the 1st Test, we will try and put in the best playing XI,” he added.
Abhimanyu Easwaran didn’t have a great outing in the Australian soil as he scored only low scores for India A against Australia A. KL Rahul was also given a chance to open in the 2nd match for India A.
He also hailed KL Rahul for his ability to perform at any position for the team and backed him to do the job at the top of the order.
“You go with experienced players as well. I think that is the quality of a man that he can actually bat at the top of the order.”
“You can batter at number three, and he can actually bat in sixth position as well. So you need quite a lot of talent to be doing these kinds of jobs as well, and he kept pickets in a one-day format as well.”
So imagine how many countries have players like KL Rahul who can actually open the batting and can bat at number six as well. So I feel that if needed to be, I think he can do the job for us, especially if Rohit is not available for the first Test match,” Gambhir said.
The five-match test series will kickstart on November 22 while the second test will be played on a day-night format under the stadium lights starting on December 06.
The third test will be played in the Gabba which will be held between December 14-18. The fourth test will be played between December 26-30 at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The fifth and final test at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3-7 will give a promising dramatic conclusion for the exciting contest.
