"If you enjoy days like we had in Kanpur, then you also have to accept days like the one we had in Bengaluru" - Gautam Gambhir
Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir defended the side's batting approach in their appalling first-innings display in the opening Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru. Coming off the high of pulling off a remarkable win in under two days through attacking batting in the final Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur, the Indian batters produced the complete opposite in the Bengaluru outing.
Batting first under overcast conditions and on a damp wicket, the hosts were bowled out for a dismal 46 in their first essay. The total was the third lowest for India in their Test history and the lowest ever for any side on Indian soil.
The sorry batting display led to India suffering a rare Test loss at home by eight wickets as the Blackcaps took a 1-0 series lead.
Speaking at the press conference on the eve of the all-important second Test, Gambhir addressed India's batting in the opener by saying:
"That's why we call cricket, or rather sports in general, a great leveler. If you enjoy days like we had in Kanpur, then you also have to accept days like the one we had in Bengaluru. But the good thing was that even after being bowled out for 46, we were still looking to win the Test match. That was important, and that's the kind of cricket we want to play. I had said earlier that our first option is always to win, and the second option is a draw."
He added:
"If you look at the second innings as well, there was no intention of just playing for two and a half days. We were thinking about how we could win the game. In fact, if you ask me, we were probably 100 runs away from making the match. So, I don't think many teams would think that way after being bowled out for 46, when they still had to bat for more than two and a half days. But that’s the quality of cricket we want to play going forward."
Despite conceding a 356-run lead in the first innings, Rohit Sharma's men responded by scoring a massive 462 in the second innings. However, the target set for New Zealand of 107 proved a touch too few to remain competitive.
"Selecting the playing XI for any Test match in India is a headache because of the amount of talent we have" - Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir acknowledged that picking the playing XI for the second New Zealand would be a challenge with the amount of talent on offer.
Sarfaraz Khan, who replaced the injured Shubman Gill, scored a brilliant 150 in the first Test, resulting in discussions about who between him and KL Rahul would be left out with Gill likely to return for the second Test.
India is also in a conundrum for the choice of a third spinner between Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel after the former's sub-par outing in the opening Test.
"Look, selecting the playing XI for any Test match in India is a headache because of the amount of talent we have, whether it’s in domestic or international cricket. So, it’s not just that it’s challenging here; it’s a good challenge, in fact," said Gambhir.
When you have good talent coming in and there’s competition for spots, it’s always a good thing. This means Indian cricket has a strong foundation and is at a good level. I don't think the challenge will be any different in Pune compared to other places; it's always difficult everywhere," he added.
India might also consider playing the impressive Akash Deep in place of Mohammed Siraj as the second seamer, considering the latter's ordinary form in recent times.
The second India-New Zealand Test will be played in Pune, starting October 24.