Gautam Gambhir pre match press conference | India vs New Zealand 1st Test Bengaluru

In the pre-match press conference ahead of the first Test against New Zealand at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, Gautam Gambhir, head coach of the Indian cricket team, shared his thoughts on the upcoming series and India’s approach to Test cricket. Gambhir was particularly proud of the team’s adaptability, emphasizing that India is not restricted to any one style of play.

He highlighted the team's capability to shift gears according to the situation, saying they can score 400 runs in a day if conditions favor aggressive play but also possess the resilience to bat for two days to secure a draw if necessary. This adaptability was on full display in their recent series against Bangladesh, where India played aggressively despite interruptions due to rain, ultimately forcing a result with a strong performance.

Gambhir also acknowledged the challenge posed by New Zealand, praising their professionalism and quality, but clarified that while the Indian team respects its opponents, it fears none. He reiterated the importance of starting strong from the first ball, whether batting or bowling, and remaining professional throughout.

Interestingly, Gambhir stressed that this is a "bowler’s era," where matches are won by taking 20 wickets rather than just piling up runs. He voiced his desire to change India’s batter-centric mindset, pointing out that while batters set the stage, it’s the bowlers who deliver victories.

Furthermore, Gambhir expressed confidence in Virat Kohli, who had been going through a lean patch. He remarked that Kohli’s hunger for runs and consistency remains as strong as when he debuted, and Gambhir backed him to regain his form during the series.