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Gautam Gambhir Press Conference Highlights: When I took up the job, I knew it was going to be difficult. Don't think I am facing any heat

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir on Monday put up a stout defence of under-pressure skipper Rohit Sharma and star batter Virat Ko...

The Times of India | Nov 11, 2024, 10:27:07 IST

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10:27 (IST), Nov, 11

Border-Gavaskar Trophy vs The Ashes: What do the numbers say

As Team India gears up for the highly anticipated five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) starting November 22 in Perth, comparisons between this epic rivalry and the legendary Ashes series between Australia and England are inevitable.

While the Ashes boasts a history stretching back to 1882, the BGT, which began in 1996, has quickly become one of cricket's most fiercely contested and closely followed encounters.

10:26 (IST), Nov, 11

Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Why Perth may not be an ideal start for India against Australia

Pace and bounce. Test cricket in Australia is identified by these two elements. Over the years, no other stadium has represented the fast and furious nature of the Australian pitches than the WACA Ground in Perth.

Indian batsmen, brought up on the low and slow dusty tracks at home, don't have a formidable record at the WACA, though there have been some memorable and exceptional performances.

India have played four Tests at the WACA and have emerged victorious only once and have also lost their only Test that they played at the new Perth Stadium.

10:18 (IST), Nov, 11

Gautam Gambhir press conference: On being targeted on social media

What difference does social media make in my life, and for anyone's life? When I took up this job, I always knew that it was going to be a highly difficult job and a highly prestigious job as well. I don't think as if I'm feeling the heat because my job is to be absolutely honest.

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.

10:07 (IST), Nov, 11

Gautam Gambhir press conference: On NZ debacle

Criticism we are facing, we are taking it with both hands. We need to move forward, Australia is new series.

10:02 (IST), Nov, 11

Gautam Gambhir hits back at Ricky Ponting over comments on Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir, while addressing the media in Mumbai on Monday, ahead of the team's departure to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, slammed former Australia captain Ricky Ponting for his comments on India stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

Ponting had expressed his concern on the form of both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma who have a had a prolonged poor run with the bat.

Replying to a query, Gambhir said, "What does Ponting have to do with Indian cricket (on the Australian's comments on Rohit and Virat's form). For me, hunger in the dressing room is most important."

Kohli has had a forgettable 2024 so far, with just two international fifties to his name and a poor home Test season in tune-up to the Australia tour.

09:57 (IST), Nov, 11

Gautam Gambhir press conference Live: On home series loss

We were completely outplayed. I'm not going to defend us. We deserve the criticism we are getting now.

09:55 (IST), Nov, 11

Gautam Gambhir press conference Live: On criticism after series loss to NZ

"When I took up the job, I knew it was going to be difficult & prestigious job. I don't think I am facing any heat".

09:51 (IST), Nov, 11

'How many teams have a player like KL Rahul!' Coach Gautam Gambhir backs under-fire batsman

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir on Monday threw his weight behind the under-fire batsman KL Rahul, saying that he remains an integral part of India's plans on the tour of Australia for the Border Gavaskar Trophy.

Addressing the media before departure for Australia with the second batch of players, Gambhir said Rahul is a kind of player that not many teams have.

"KL Rahul can bat in the top order, he can bat at No. 3, he can play at No. 6. So you need a lot of talent to do all these jobs, and he keeps (wickets) in ODIs. Imagine how many countries have players like KL!" said the coach.

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09:50 (IST), Nov, 11

Gautam Gambhir confirms India captain if Rohit Sharma misses Perth Test vs Australia

India head coach Gautam Gambhir has confirmed that Jasprit Bumrah will lead India if Rohit Sharma misses the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against Australia in Perth from November 22.

"Bumrah is vice captain; if Rohit is not available, he is going to be lead in Perth," said Gambhir during the pre-departure press conference in Mumbai.

09:44 (IST), Nov, 11

Gautam Gambhir press conference Live: On team's transition phase

I am not even thinking that the team is in transition and all that king of stuff. The only thing in my mind at the moment is that we are going to Australia to play 5 Test matches. I have said that there are some incredibly tough people in the dressing room.

09:38 (IST), Nov, 11

Gautam Gambhir press conference Live: On hectic scheduling

I am not going to say its ideal or not ideal. Its my job. Its up to the ICC and BCCI to look into it.

09:37 (IST), Nov, 11

Gautam Gambhir press conference Live: On team first ideology

I have always said the youngsters, seniors to keep Indian cricket first. Ahead of the personal milestones. This is what team sports is all about. We want to be absolutely selfless.

09:35 (IST), Nov, 11

Gautam Gambhir press conference Live: Gambhir defends Rahul

KL Rahul can bat in the top order, he can bat at 3, he can play at 6 - so you need a lot of talent to do all these jobs & he keeps in ODIs - imagine how many countries have players like KL and he is one of the options if Rohit is not available.

09:34 (IST), Nov, 11

Gautam Gambhir press conference Live: On Sundar, Jurel

You guys were criticizing us over Sunda's sudden inclusion (laughs). Its always good when a young player comes in. Be it Sundar, Jurel. Its great for Indian cricket as these guys are the future.

09:32 (IST), Nov, 11

Gautam Gambhir press conference Live: On captaincy in Rohit's absence

Bumrah is the vice-captain so he will obviously be the captain in Rohit's absence.

09:30 (IST), Nov, 11

Gautam Gambhir press conference Live: On Ricky Ponting's Kohli's poor form

What has Ponting got to do with Indian cricket? He should think about Australian cricket. Rohit and Virat incredibly tough men.

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09:27 (IST), Nov, 11

Gautam Gambhir press conference Live: On Rohit, Kohli's poor run

Have no concerns at all regarding Rohit and Virat's form. They have done incredibly well in the past. There is a lot of hunger in the dressing room after what happened in the last series.

09:25 (IST), Nov, 11

Gautam Gambhir press conference Live: On Shubman opening the innings in Perth

Can't let you know about the playing XI. We will go in with the best combination.

09:24 (IST), Nov, 11

Gautam Gambhir press conference Live: On Shardul Thakur's non-inclusion

We have picked the best squad. It is about moving forward. When needed, Nitish will do the job for us.

09:21 (IST), Nov, 11

Gautam Gambhir press conference Live: On Harshit Rana's inclusion

He played against Assam in Ranji Trophy. He did well. We thought he has enough bowling under his belt.

09:20 (IST), Nov, 11

Gautam Gambhir press conference Live: On who will open in absence of Rohit

We will take a call closer to the first Test if Rohit is not available. KL Rahul is there. Abhimanyu is there. We will try to play the best possible XI.

09:19 (IST), Nov, 11

Gautam Gambhir press conference Live: Gambhir on Rohit Sharma's availability

No confirmation at the moment. We will get to know before the start of the series

09:18 (IST), Nov, 11

Gautam Gambhir press conference Live: The PC is underway at ITC Maratha in Mumbai

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir has arrived to attend the pre-departure presser. The questions will be fired at him shortly by the media persons.

09:09 (IST), Nov, 11

Gautam Gambhir press conference Live: Second batch of players to leave for Australia after Gambhir presser

The first batch of players (Yashasvi Jasiwal, Shubman Gill, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar) that left India last evening will land in Australia in the afternoon today. They had a layover in Singapore and will take a connecting flight from there. They were accompanied by assistant coach Abhishek Nayar and strength and conditioning coach Soham Shah.

The second batch will leave today after the Gambhir press conference and are expected to land in Australia at around 6 am on Tuesday.

09:05 (IST), Nov, 11

Gautam Gambhir press conference Live: India’s squad for Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar.

Reserves: Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, Khaleel Ahmed.

08:41 (IST), Nov, 11

Gautam Gambhir press conference Live - World Test Championship: India’s path to the final ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy

India's chances of making it to the World Test Championship (WTC) final in 2023-2025 took a serious hit following a home series defeat to New Zealand.

The loss in the third Test against the Kiwis marked India's first home Test series defeat since 2012. The series win was the first for New Zealand in India since their tours began in 1955-56. New Zealand also became the only team to secure a 3-0 series win in India.

Before the New Zealand series, India led the WTC standings with a percentage (PCT) of 68.06. However, after multiple losses, India's PCT dropped to 62.82, while Australia follows closely at 62.50 and Sri Lanka at 55.56.

India faces a critical series in the 2023-2025 WTC cycle, with five matches included in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Following the clean sweep loss, India needs to win four of the five Tests against Australia. Their final chances may also rely on other series outcomes.

08:38 (IST), Nov, 11

Gautam Gambhir press conference Live: Update on Shami situation expected from Gambhir

Pacer Mohammed Shami's return to competitive was earlier pushed back after the veteran pacer was not named in the Bengal squad for the next two rounds of the Ranji Trophy against Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh.

After missing out on the selection for the tour Down Under, Shami was expected to play the fixture against Karnataka to test his fitness in a real-match situation as he bowled at full tilt at nets after India's Test match against New Zealand, though with bandage on his operated leg.

On that occasion, he was also monitored by India's bowling coach Morne Morkel.

But things still remain unclear on whether Shami will join the India squad for the latter part of the series or will be missing it completely.

08:17 (IST), Nov, 11

Gautam Gambhir press conference Live: First batch of Team India players leaving for Australia on Sunday evening.

08:01 (IST), Nov, 11

Gautam Gambhir press conference Live - 'Rumour floated with malicious intent': Aakash Chopra weighs in on report claiming separate coaches for Team India

Former India opener Aakash Chopra has labelled a report claiming that the BCCI will appoint separate red and white-ball coaches if India underperform in Border-Gavaskar Trophy as an 'absolute' rumour, putting his weight behind an under-fire head coach Gautam Gambhir.

After India's shock 3-0 series whitewash to New Zealand at home, an unhappy BCCI reportedly had a six-hour long meeting with the team's think-tank to discuss the debacle.

Soon after that, a report had claimed that the BCCI will consider separate coaches across formats if India don't do well in Australia.

Chopra said that Gambhir and skipper Rohit Sharma should be held accountable for the shock defeat but with the head coach only three months into the job, the change would be too soon.

07:40 (IST), Nov, 11

Gautam Gambhir press conference Live: New opener and a surprise inclusion in Australia's Test squad for Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India

Nathan McSweeney has been selected as Australia's new opening batsman for the first Test match of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. The five-Test series begins in Perth on November 22nd. Wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Inglis was a surprise addition to the 13-man squad, which was revealed on Sunday.

Following David Warner's retirement earlier this year, Australia have been actively searching for a suitable partner to open the batting alongside Usman Khawaja.

Although veteran Steve Smith temporarily filled the role, he will now return to his usual position at number four, following Marnus Labuschagne. Smith's recent performances as an opener have been less than satisfactory.

07:21 (IST), Nov, 11

Gautam Gambhir press conference Live - India squad for Border-Gavaskar Trophy: No Mohammed Shami, Axar Patel in 18-member squad

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced an 18-member India squad for the five-match Test series against Australia with Abhimanyu Easwaran, Harshit Rana and Nitish Rana included.

The series begins in Perth on November 22.

Arguably, the biggest talking point in the squad is the absence of Mohammed Shami, who had been working against the clock to get ready for the series. The match-changing seamer underwent ankle surgery earlier in the year and his rehabilitation process had appeared to be on track until a recent swelling to his knee.

07:06 (IST), Nov, 11

Gautam Gambhir press conference Live: Rohit remains doubtful for 1st Test

Rohit Sharma remains doubtful for the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in Perth due to personal reasons, with the India skipper previously saying he has his 'fingers crossed' on his participation.

The first batch of Team India players departed for Australia on Sunday. However Rohit was not spotted with the team.

"Not sure whether I will be going, fingers crossed," Rohit had said after India's loss in the third Test to New Zealand.

In case Rohit misses the Test, vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah will lead the side in the series opener.

06:51 (IST), Nov, 11

Watch: First batch of Indian team departs from Mumbai for Border Gavaskar Trophy

A group of Indian cricketers began their journey to Australia on Sunday night for the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy. The team departed from Mumbai Airport.

The first match of the series starts in Perth on November 22. This series holds significant importance as it could determine which team qualifies for the World Test Championship 2025 final.

Among the first group were fast bowlers Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep. Assistant coach Abhishek Nayar also accompanied them. All-rounder Washington Sundar, middle-order batsman Sarfaraz Khan, and opening batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal were also part of this initial group.

06:19 (IST), Nov, 11

Gautam Gambhir press conference Live: Head coach in spotlight

It has been learnt that after New Zealand debacle, questions were asked about certain decisions taken by the team management during the course of the series.

There were also discussions about Gautam Gambhir's style of coaching which is very different from his predecessor Rahul Dravid and how the team is getting used to it.

"It was a six hour marathon meeting which was obviously on cards after such a debacle. India are going on a tour of Australia and the BCCI would obviously like to ensure that the team is back on track and would like to know how the think-tank (Gambhir-Rohit-Agarkar) are going about it," a senior BCCI source said.

05:55 (IST), Nov, 11

Gautam Gambhir press conference Live: Date, time, live streaming and telecast details

Head coach Gautam Gambhir will meet the press in a pre-departure conference before the marquee five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. The Indian team is departing for Australia in two groups on November 10 and 11. The opening Test match begins in Perth on November 22.

05:36 (IST), Nov, 11

Gautam Gambhir press conference Live: The NZ Post Mortem

The BCCI recently conducted an exhaustive review of India's shock 0-3 debacle against New Zealand with selection of rank turner for the Mumbai Test, resting Jasprit Bumrah and Gautam Gambhir's coaching style were discussed threadbafe.

Skipper Rohit Sharma, chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gambhir were in attendance along with BCCI secretary Jay Shah and president Roger Binny.

Gambhir had joined the meeting online.

It was learnt that the questions were asked about certain decisions taken by the team management during the course of the series.

There were also discussions about Gambhir's style of coaching which is very different from his predecessor Rahul Dravid and how the team is getting used to it.

05:32 (IST), Nov, 11

Gautam Gambhir press conference Live: Series loss vs Lanka, NZ in Gambhir era

Right after Gautam Gambhir took over the reins, India lost an ODI series to Sri Lanka for the first time in 27 years, and then New Zealand completed a 3-0 whitewash of his side in Tests at home on Sunday, something the team never experienced in its long cricketing journey.

05:27 (IST), Nov, 11

Gautam Gambhir press conference Live: Head coach under presure to deliver

Unprecedented series defeats against Sri Lanka and New Zealand have placed Gautam Gambhir under immense pressure barely three months into his appointment as the head coach of the Indian team.

He was appointed to the top post amid much fanfare and was also given a rare seat at the selection committee meeting for the tour of Australia.

However, his initial report card clearly suggests things aren't looking good for the former India opener.

Unless there is a remarkable turnaround Down Under, Gambhir, who was given a free hand in selection matters, may not have as much say in issues concerning the team in the coming times.

05:27 (IST), Nov, 11

Gautam Gambhir press conference Live: India eyeing a hat-trick Down Under

India previously clinched consecutive Test series wins in Australia, first under Virat Kohli's leadership in 2018-19 and then under Ajinkya Rahane in 2020-21. Now, with Rohit at the helm, they will be aiming for a historic third straight series win on Australian soil.

05:27 (IST), Nov, 11

Gautam Gambhir press conference Live: India begins marquee Border–Gavaskar Trophy campaign

The Indian contingent is travelling to Australia in two separate batches, departing on November 10 and 11. The series begins with the first Test in Perth on November 22. A highlight of the tour will be the pink-ball, day-night Test at Adelaide Oval, scheduled from December 6 to 10. The third Test will take place at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 14 to 18, followed by the traditional Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26 to 30. The fifth and final Test is slated for January 3 in Sydney.

05:27 (IST), Nov, 11

Gautam Gambhir press conference Live: Gambhir to face tough questions

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir is set to address the media in a pre-departure press conference ahead of the highly anticipated five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Scheduled for Monday at 9:00 AM, the briefing will take place in Mumbai. The interaction provides an opportunity for Gambhir to discuss team preparations, key strategies, and expectations for the challenging Test series.

05:27 (IST), Nov, 11

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir's pre-departure press conference in Mumbai.

India head coach Gautam Gambhir on Monday shed light on team's plans in case skipper Rohit Sharma is unavailable for the first Test.

"If Rohit is not available for the first Test match, there is KL Rahul. We will take a call closer to the first match," Gambhir said during a press conference.

Gambhir emphasized the importance of every series and the readiness of the Indian team to face Australia.

"When you play for your country, every series is important. Irrespective of the past, for us, it is two good teams playing against each other and we are absolutely keen to go out there, perform and win the series," he said.

Highlighting KL Rahul's versatility, Gambhir stated, "There are times you go with experienced players as well. He can bat at the top, middle order and at No. 6 as well. He can keep wicket; can do the job for us if Rohit is not available for the 1st Test."

The flexibility makes Rahul a valuable asset for the team, capable of adapting to various roles as needed.

On Rohit's availability, Gambhir provided an update but kept the final decision open, adding, "There is no confirmation. We'll let you know. Hopefully he'll be available. Everything you'll get to know by the start of the series."

Gambhir's remarks have set the tone for the series, with the Indian team focused on putting forth a strong performance regardless of the challenges they might face.

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