Team India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir didn’t shy away from tough questions at the post-match press conference after their loss to England in the first Test on Tuesday. True to his straightforward style, he dealt with reporters directly, especially when it came to the underwhelming performance of some players.
Regarding the lower-order batting, which only scored 9 runs across both innings, Gambhir defended his players. “It’s not about them not trying,” he said. “Sometimes, things just don’t go right, and that’s part of the game. I get that it’s disappointing, but they’re probably more upset than anyone because they knew they had a chance. If we had put up 570 or 580 in the first innings, we could’ve taken control.”
He didn’t single anyone out for blame, saying the team wins and loses together. “They’re putting in the work during practice, but these hits happen. Even good players have off days. I hope they learn from this, and it wasn’t just the tail that led to the loss. There were other moments we could have capitalized on.”
When asked about Shardul Thakur, who took just 2 wickets during the match, Gambhir clarified that he was picked as a bowling all-rounder, not just a bowler. “He wasn’t just brought on for his bowling. Sometimes captains go with their gut. Shardul didn’t bowl a lot because Jadeja was doing well, but he got us two crucial wickets that helped put us back in the game. Consistency is key moving forward, and I’m confident these guys will learn.”
Gambhir was also asked about Shubman Gill’s captaincy after his first game ended in a loss. He backed Gill, saying he has the qualities needed to lead. “It’s normal to feel nervous during your first Test, and it’s a huge opportunity. He batted really well in the first innings, despite the pressure of captaincy. He has what it takes to succeed, but he needs some time. It’s early in his captaincy journey, and tough situations like this will help him grow.”
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