NEW DELHI: Head coach Gautam Gambhir, gearing up for Indiaโs tour of Australia, has shared his confidence in both the youth and flexibility within the team. Speaking to the media, Gambhir expressed his excitement over young players like Washington Sundar and Dhruv Jurel, considering them the future of Indian cricket. โItโs always encouraging when a young player comes in,โ Gambhir noted, highlighting Jurelโs recent performance against England and Sundarโs impactful bowling.
In the recent series against New Zealand, Sundar impressed with his 16 wickets across four innings, earning him praise from both coaches and critics. Gambhirโs recognition of such talent emphasizes his belief in the importance of nurturing young players and giving them opportunities to grow at the international level.
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Gambhir also spoke on the importance of maintaining a team-first mindset, stressing that players should prioritize Indiaโs cricketing success over personal achievements. He explained, โThe only conversation Iโve had with the seniors or the youngsters is to keep Indian cricket ahead of everythingโฆ We want to be seen as absolutely selfless, and more importantly, absolutely positive.โ His emphasis on unity and selflessness reflects his approach to fostering a strong team culture.
One of the standout players Gambhir highlighted was KL Rahul, who he praised for his ability to adapt across different roles in the lineup. โKL can bat at the top of the order, at number three, or even at number six if needed,โ Gambhir stated, underscoring Rahulโs versatility and hinting that he could cover for Rohit Sharma should he be unavailable for the first Test. This adaptability, along with his wicketkeeping experience, makes Rahul a valuable asset, Gambhir added.
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With just ten days left for preparation, Gambhir acknowledges that adapting to Australian conditions will be challenging. Yet he remains optimistic that the experience of senior players will guide the team well, helping them face the Australians head-on come match day. โCome the 22nd morning, we should be absolutely ready to fire from ball one,โ Gambhir concluded confidently.
