When Gautam Gambhir is around, sparks are bound to fly. Even when he is at a press conference as a head coach.
Ahead of the Indian team's departure to Australia for the five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, starting from November 22 at Perth, Gambhir spoke to the media, and true to his nature, he played the questions on the front foot.
Here's a look at the highlights of Gambhir's interaction with the media:
1
'What does Ponting have to do with Indian cricket?'
Former Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting had recently questioned Virat Kohli's place in the Test team, saying that surviving in Test cricket was tough with such a dismal record.
Kohli's last Test hundred came in July 2023 against the West Indies. The 36-year-old has scored only 1,838 runs in 34 matches at an average of 31.68, with two centuries since then. The former India skipper has just one fifty this year - 70 against Bangladesh in Kanpur. He has averaged only 22.72 in six Tests this year, the lowest in his career.
"There wouldn't be anyone else probably even playing international cricket as a top-order batsman that's only scored two (three) Test match hundreds in five years,” Ponting had said. “I have said it before about Virat, you don't ever question the greats of the game.”
Responding to the remark, Gambhir said, “What does Ponting have to do with Indian cricket? I think he should think about Australian cricket. More importantly, I have got no concerns whatsoever for Virat and Rohit [Sharma].”
"They are incredibly tough men, they have achieved a lot for Indian cricket and they will continue to achieve a lot in future as well,” he said, and added that both Kohli and Sharma still work really hard, are passionate, and want to achieve a lot more, “which is very important”.
2
'Transition or no transition, seniors are incredibly hungry'
Gambhir defended the Indian team, which is still recovering from the 0-3 whitewash at the hands of New Zealand at home, and threw his weight behind the seniors in the team such as Sharma, Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
"I am not thinking about transition but the five Test matches,” Gambhir said at the press conference ahead of the Australia tour. “Transition or no transition, I see some incredibly tough characters in that dressing room who are hungry to do well." He also said it was the media which makes up all the talk about “transition”.
3
'What difference does social media make?'
Gambhir dismissed speculations that he was under pressure following India's humiliation at home. There were reports that the BCCI had a six-hour review meeting with him and skipper Rohit Sharma about the loss to the Kiwis, and the social media was abuzz about it.
While admitting that he accepts the criticism, Gambhir said, “What difference does it make? Tell me, social media, what difference does it make in my life and for that matter, anyone's life?
“When I took up this job, I always thought that it is going to be a highly difficult job and highly prestigious job as well. I don't think as if I am feeling the heat because my job is to be absolutely honest.” He added that it was an honour to be coaching “some incredibly tough people in the dressing room”, and India.
4
'How many countries have players like KL?'
Thogh did not confirm whether Sharma would be available or not for the first Test at Perth, he indicated that in his absence, the team has options such as Abhimanyu Easwaran and KL Rahul to open the innings, and that the final call will be taken closer to the match. Though both the batters failed to impress in the India A-Australia A unofficial Test, Rahul might get the nod, given his experience abroad.
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“Obviously, there is Easwaran, there is KL. Imagine, how many countries have players like KL who can actually open the batting and can bat at number 6 as well?” Gambhir said. "So, I feel that if needed be, I think he (Rahul) can do the job for us, especially if Rohit [Sharma] is not available for the first Test match."
5
'We don't control the wickets'
Much of the talk ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series is about the pitches. The pitches in Australia traditionally favour the pacers, though spinners, too, have made an impact occasionally. The Indian batters, who are believed to be good players of spin, were thoroughly exposed in home conditions in the three Tests against New Zealand.
But, Gambhir downplayed the talk around the pitches in Australia, and asserted India can win on any surface if they played to their potential. "We don't control the wickets what they give. It is their wish, whatever they want to dish us with. We are absolutely ready to play on any kind of conditions and we have got all the bases (covered). What difference does it make whether they give us a turning track or bouncy tracks or green wickets? We have got to still go out there and do the job and play to our potential and play our best cricket," he said.
