New Zealand haven’t won a Test match in India since 1988, but Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir said the hosts’ won’t take the Tom Latham-led side lightly, citing the quality player they have and their capabilities of making the visitors’ be in the drivers’ seat at any point in the game.
“See, New Zealand is a completely different challenge. We know that they’re a very, very professional unit, have got some really high quality players who can hurt us, and can do the job for them as well,” Gautam Gambir said
“So, we respect them, but we don’t fear anyone. I’ve said it many times that we will always respect every opposition, be selfless, humble, try and play the game as hard as possible on the cricket field. Once the game is over, we want to try and stay as humble as possible.”
“But we need to be switched on from ball one, and that is the responsibility of the support staff to keep the players switched on come – whether we are batting or bowling first, and try and be as professional as we can, try keep moving the game forward and get the results in our favour.”
“Whether it is New Zealand or Australia, we will try to win every match for our country,” he added.
Several high-profile matches are on India’s schedule, including the five-Test series against Australia next month, but Gambhir was focused on the immediate challenge against New Zealand.
“The first thing is that the World Test Championship is in June (2025). The second thing is that the Test match in Australia is on 22nd November. Right now, only New Zealand is on our mind.
“When you play international cricket, you don’t think about how to prepare for the five Test matches in Australia, as right now, the most important thing is how to be ready on 16th November at 9.30 am. That is more important because you don’t see ahead that far,” he noted.
‘Important for Our Batsman-Obsessed Attitude to End’ in ‘Era of Bowlers’
Gambhir also felt the current era belongs more to bowlers than batters, adding that the country’s batter-obsessed attitude needs to end. “This is the era of the bowlers. Batters only set up the matches. It’s very important for our batsman-obsessed attitude to end. If the batters make 1000 runs, there’s still no guarantee that the team will win a Test match.”
“But if a bowler takes 20 wickets, there’s a 99% guarantee that we’ll win the match. Be it Test matches or any other formats, bowlers win you matches and tournaments. So I hope this era or the upcoming ones, we’ll talk more about bowlers than batters, and I hope the mindset changes over time.”
(With inputs from Agencies)
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