Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed head coach of the Indian cricket team, has emphasized the significance of fostering a strong relationship with senior players like captain Rohit Sharma and star batsman Virat Kohli. Gambhir, who played alongside these players during his playing days, believes that their shared history will facilitate effective communication and decision-making.
Gambhir acknowledged that his recent appointment is still in its early stages, but he expressed confidence in building upon the existing relationships he has with the senior players. He emphasized the importance of maintaining open and honest communication to ensure that everyone is on the same page.
“When you have that kind of a relationship, sometimes it gets much easier than building a relationship,” Gambhir said. “Obviously, now the roles are different. The relationship we can build over the next couple of years is going to be very important.”
Gambhir also addressed the media attention surrounding his past spat with Kohli during an IPL match. He dismissed the notion that there is any lingering tension between them, stating that his relationship with all the players in the dressing room has always been positive.
“Sometimes people have made a lot of hue and cry about these things,” Gambhir said. “But that’s not true. My relationship with everyone in the dressing room team has been really, really good.”
Regarding team selection, Gambhir emphasized the importance of clear communication and transparency. He explained that the team’s best playing XI is selected based on merit and that players who are not selected should understand the reasons behind the decision.
“We don’t drop anyone,” Gambhir said. “We only select the best playing 11. We think and do the job for that particular Test match.”
Gambhir also clarified the situation regarding the team’s wicket-keeper for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. He praised the performances of both Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan but indicated that Pant remains the first-choice keeper for the time being.
“I feel Jurel is a quality player,” Gambhir said. “But sometimes people will have to wait. Someone like Sarfaraz has also done really well. But sometimes you just need to wait for the opportunity and keep working hard.”
