"Never expected a very easy run" - Gautam Gambhir reflects on his tenure as coach after IND vs NZ 2024 Test series defeat
Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir acknowledged that he was ready for any rocky results when he assumed the role. However, the former opener reckons it's important to keep going and work hard to return to winning ways as they look to avoid a series whitewash in the third Test against New Zealand in Mumbai.
With Team India losing their first Test series at home since 2012, the captain-coach duo of Rohit Sharma and Gambhir have come under heavy scrutiny. The batting unit meekly surrendering in three out of four innings across two Tests against New Zealand has drawn the most criticism.
At a presser on Friday ahead of the final Test, Gambhir admitted that losing fairly consistently is not a fair place to be. He also underlined the need to back struggling players and stated, as quoted by India Today:
"I never expected a very easy run for me. I know that we lost in Sri Lanka and against NZ and it is not a good place to be. All we can do is keep working hard and we will try winning every game that we play to represent the country. I realize it's a complete different thing when you were playing and now as a coach, need to put your arm around the players."
Rohit and Co. hoped to have a complete sweep of the Test summer, having beaten Bangladesh 2-0. However, they failed across facets against the Black Caps and now face a tricky road to the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
"Everyone is available for selection, we will take a call tomorrow" - Gautam Gambhir
The 43-year-old echoed assistant coach Abhishek Nayar's words about no new additions to the squad for the Mumbai Test amid reports of Harshit Rana's call-up. He explained:
"We are not in a situation where can think of that. Harshit Rana is not part of the squad. He has just come here to prepare for the Australia tour, Abhishek made it clear yesterday. IPL retention has nothing to be spoken about, we have a Test match here. Everyone is available for selection, we will take a call tomorrow."
Team India have never suffered a Test series sweep at home.