Gautam Gambhir, a name synonymous with intense focus and a no-nonsense attitude on the cricket field, rarely displays a jovial side. However, after the second Test match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, fans witnessed a surprisingly lighthearted moment from the former India batter. He even managed to crack a joke when asked about a mental conditioning coach, a topic not usually associated with his serious persona.
When questioned about the demanding schedule and its impact on young Indian skipper Shubman Gill, Gambhir humorously retorted that he himself might be in greater need of a mental conditioning coach, given the continuous stream of matches India has been playing throughout the year. He further added, “First of all, I need one,” and chuckled, drawing smiles from the press, then continued, “This is my birthday gift. The coach is as good as the team.”
Gill has been on a relentless run, transitioning from the Asia Cup directly into the West Indies series. He is now preparing to lead India in the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia, commencing on Sunday, October 19.
Gambhir also reflected on India’s past struggles, particularly the stinging memory of last year’s home series whitewash against New Zealand. This experience highlighted the difficulties of playing on challenging, turning pitches. While India boasts a young batting lineup, with the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Gill gaining significant experience, they, along with seasoned players like KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja, are expected to handle diverse pitch conditions effectively.
Recalling how Virat Kohli’s Test average suffered on such challenging surfaces, while Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja transformed into world-class performers, Gambhir acknowledged the evolution. He noted that on pitches offering less assistance to spinners, finger spinners like Jadeja and Washington Sundar might be less impactful, whereas the wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav consistently offers a potent wicket-taking option.
The selection of venues for the upcoming two-Test series against South Africa will be crucial, as it will truly test India’s strength in home conditions. This series also marks a significant period, as no red-ball cricket is scheduled for India for the next eight months, leading up to the Sri Lanka tour.
Despite the challenges, Gambhir remains optimistic about India’s prospects, banking on the growing experience of the young batting talents and the adaptability of spinners like Kuldeep Yadav. His rare display of humor post-match served as a refreshing reminder that even the most stoic figures in cricket can find moments of levity amidst a grueling schedule.