Gautam Gambhir Press Conference: India coach slams Stokes's antics, praises Pant's heroics and Gill and Co

Indian cricket team coach Gautam Gambhir was in a fiery mood as he hit back at England captain Ben Stokes for his offer of a draw when Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar were nearing their hundreds. Gambhir also praised Rishabh Pant for his heroics during the fourth India-England Test match at Manchester and provided injury updates about the pacers.

The five-match Test series between India and England is currently tilted 2-1 in the home team’s favour. The last match will be played at The Oval, but England could have sealed the series in Manchester after scoring a mammoth 669 in reply to India’s first innings of 358. England had close to two days to bowl out India in the second innings, but a fighting century from skipper Shuman Gill and an unbeaten 203-run partnership between Jadeja and Sundar spoiled England’s party.

Gambhir slams Stokes, England for handshake offer

Despite India’s fightback, Stokes managed to hog the headlines by some late antics on Day 5 as he offered a draw to India. Only 15 overs were left in the day’s play, a draw looked imminent, but Jadeja and Sundar were also very close to their respective centuries, batting on scores of 89 and 80, respectively. India refused to take the offer of a handshake as both batters went on to complete their tons.

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England cricketers were upset and were seen moaning, but later in the press conference, Gambhir questioned England’s plan to offer a draw after the Indian all-rounders has put in a valiant display and deserved a milestone each.

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“If someone is batting on 90 and the other one is batting on 85, don’t they deserve a hundred? Would they have walked off? If someone from the England side would have been batting on 90 or 85, if someone had the opportunity to get his first Test hundred, wouldn’t you allow him to do it, if they weathered the storm?

“It’s up to them. If they want to play that way, that’s up to them. I’ve got nothing more to say,” Gambhir said at the post-match press conference.

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Gambhir: ‘This is best Indian team right now’

Gambhir also claimed that he is currently coaching the best possible Indian team, adding that the hard-earned draw at Manchester will only boost the morale of his side.

“You are asking someone who only believes in results,” Gambhir said. “I’ve said that in the past as well, that I believe in results. We are still 2-1 down in the series. This is the Indian team. Yes there is inexperience but this is still the best Indian team right now. So for me, I think we are still down 2-1. And hopefully we can try and make it 2-2. That’s going to be a good achievement.

“When you are put under pressure, and you end up batting five sessions, I think that’s great character. Anything that you do in these conditions, when you are put under pressure and you come out of those pressure moments, it is always a great feeling, and it just ends up giving a lot of confidence in the dressing room as well.

“And I’m sure going into The Oval, we will be high on confidence, but we can’t take anything for granted. I think it’s going to be a new game, it’s going to be against a strong England side, and we absolutely will be up for it.”

Watch Gautam Gambhir’s press conference:

Gambhir praises Pant, provides injury update on Bumrah

The former India opener Gambhir also heaped high praise on Pant, who batted in the first innings despite a fractured toe and was ready to bat again in the second innings if needed.

“It’s been declared that he’s out of the series,” Gambhir said. “But one thing I want to say is that the character and the foundation of this team will be built on something Rishabh did for the team and for the country as well.”

“Any amount of praise is not enough for him — especially batting with a broken foot. I think the generations to come will talk about it and the generations coming forward should talk about it.”

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N Jagadeesan has been named as Pant’s replacement after the wicketkeeper-batter was ruled out of the fifth and final Test of the series.

The 43-year-old coach also confirmed that all the pacers are fit for the fifth Test, which starts on 31 July, but no decision has been made on the team combination and resting Jasprit Bumrah.

“All the fast bowlers are fit,” Gambhir said. “There are no injury concerns. We haven’t had any conversation around the combination for the last Test.

“No decision has been made on whether Jasprit Bumrah will play or not. Ultimately, whoever plays, they will try and do the job for the country.”