Known for his intense and serious approach, both on and off the field, former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir rarely lets his guard down. However, a delightful moment unfolded after the second Test at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi when Gambhir showcased a lighter side, even cracking a joke in response to a journalist’s question.
When quizzed about the immense workload on India’s skipper Shubman Gill, Gambhir’s wit shone through. He jokingly remarked that he, himself, would require a mental conditioning coach to cope with the sheer number of matches India has been playing consecutively this year. “First of all, I need one,” he quipped. “This is my birthday gift. The coach is as good as the team,” he added, eliciting smiles.
Indeed, the schedule has been relentless for players like Gill, who transitioned swiftly from the Asia Cup directly into the West Indies series. He is now preparing to lead India in his debut ODI captaincy role against Australia in a three-match series starting October 19.
Gambhir also reflected on India’s past challenges, recalling the bitter memory of last year’s home series whitewash against New Zealand, which underscored the difficulties of playing on challenging, turning pitches. While India’s batting lineup is relatively young, with players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Gill gaining crucial experience, Gambhir believes they now possess the resilience to tackle tough wickets.
He further elaborated on the bowling attack, noting that while finger spinners like Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar might be less impactful on pitches offering less assistance, wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav consistently remains a potent threat. This adaptability in the spin department will be vital.
The upcoming two-Test series against South Africa at home will be a significant litmus test for India’s domestic dominance, especially with a long break from red-ball cricket planned before the Sri Lanka tour. Despite the challenges, Gambhir expressed optimism, highlighting the growing experience of the young batting talent and the evolving skills of spinners like Kuldeep. His unexpected moment of humor offered a refreshing glimpse into the persona of a coach who, despite his serious exterior, can find levity in the demanding world of international cricket.