India National Cricket Team head coach Gautam Gambhir has made a strong statement about his team selection policy. Gautam Gambhir made it clear that keeping every player happy is not his responsibility ahead of the fifth and final T20I between India and New Zealand in Hamilton.
With plenty of talent available in the Indian squad, selecting the playing XI and giving opportunities to players has become an important challenge for the Indian cricket team management. Amid this,<a href="https://cricket.international/auqib-nabi-leaves-virat-kohli-frustrated-with-fiery-spell-in-auckland-nets/" title="Auqib Nabi leaves Virat Kohli frustrated with fiery spell in Auckland nets”>Auqib Nabi leaves Virat Kohli frustrated with fiery spell in Auckland nets.
Gautam Gambhir sends blunt reply to critics over team selection
Gautam Gambhir believes that taking the right decisions is more important than making everyone happy. The Indian head coach also stressed that players who have performed consistently over a longer period deserve proper backing and security inside the dressing room.
Gambhir said, as quoted by Cricbuzz, “First of all, my job is not to make everyone happy. My job is to take the right decisions, not the popular decisions. And that is what I’m there for. I think sometimes in today’s day and age with so much social media and all that chatter, what happens on the outside?”
The head coach also pointed towards the growing influence of social media and outside criticism. He believes team management should not make selection decisions just to satisfy public opinion, as creating a secure environment inside the dressing room is really important.
Gambhir further explained, “No, it is very easy to take the popular decision. But for me, I think the important thing is to take the right decision and make sure that there is a lot of security inside the dressing room. Because, as you just mentioned, there’s a lot of talent.
But again, I think guys have done phenomenally well over a longer period of time. Obviously deserves a longer rope. And that is exactly how we approach the series.” Amid this,Jacob Duffy excited to face Virat Kohli in India vs New Zealand ODIs.
Gautam Gambhir rejects complacency despite India’s 3-1 T20I series lead
Gambhir also spoke about India’s approach after taking an unbeatable 3-1 lead in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand. He made it clear that there is no place for complacency when players represent their country as very few privileged people get this opportunity.
The coach added, “When you’re playing for your country, there is no complacency. Every game is an opportunity to do something different, to learn something, to evolve. I think there are no dead rubbers in my philosophy, in my ideology, and exactly the same is in the room as well.”
Gautam Gambhir praises Indian players for adjusting quickly to New Zealand conditions
The Indian head coach was also impressed with the team’s preparation and performances. The touring side had very little time between the West Indies and New Zealand assignments, but they managed to get at least one practice session before the ongoing T20I series.
Despite these challenges, the players adjusted well to the conditions. Gambhir was particularly pleased with the way players visiting New Zealand for the first time handled the challenge.
Gambhir signed off by saying, “Obviously, a lot of boys are coming here for the first time. And we all know how dangerous New Zealand is in their own backyard. So again, obviously guys adapted really well in the last 40-20s.”
Source: cricketaddictor.com
