India`s head coach Gautam Gambhir delivered a highly amusing response when questioned about captain Shubman Gill`s potential need for a mental conditioning coach. This interaction occurred during a post-match press conference following India`s recent Test series triumph over West Indies in Delhi.
Gambhir, celebrating his 44th birthday on the day of the press conference, characterized India`s series victory as his personal “birthday gift.” This win was particularly significant, as it marked a turn of fortunes for the team, who had previously secured only three wins in 13 Tests under his guidance. When pressed on whether captain Gill might benefit from a mental conditioning coach to navigate the pressures of leading the Test side, Gambhir`s reply was unexpected and met with laughter:
“First of all, I need one,” Gambhir quipped in response to the query.
He further added a philosophical touch, stating, “The coach is as good as the team.”
The veteran coach also offered a straightforward answer when asked about the One-Day International (ODI) future of star players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, with an eye on the 2027 ODI World Cup. Gambhir stressed the importance of maintaining a focus on the present challenges rather than looking too far ahead.
Despite his emphasis on the present, Gambhir expressed optimism for Kohli and Rohit`s upcoming ODI tour of Australia, which is scheduled to commence on October 19 in Perth.
Both Kohli and Rohit, who have now retired from Test and T20 International formats, have been selected for India`s ODI squad against Australia, with Shubman Gill at the helm. Kohli reportedly arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday morning and is expected to join the team before their departure for Australia on October 15.
“The ODI World Cup is still over two and a half years away, and I believe it`s crucial to stay in the present,” Gambhir reiterated during the press conference. “Certainly, we have quality players returning, and their experience will be invaluable in Australia. Hopefully, both those individuals, and more importantly, the entire team, will have a successful tour.”
