Gautam Gambhir: Full text of what the India coach said in first press conference

India’s new head coach Gautam Gambhir attended his first press conference on Monday (July 22) since being appointed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Gambhir replaced Rahul Dravid at the helm of the national team this month.

Seated alongside him in Mumbai was the men’s cricket team chief selector Ajit Agarkar. The duo fielded multiple questions on their selections for the India vs Sri Lanka series, the future of certain members in the team and the direction that Gambhir wants to take with the team.

Here’s all that Gautam Gambhir said during the press conference:

“Good for the TRP, but my relationship is not public. What kind of relationship do I share with Virat Kohli, I think it is between two mature individuals.

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“On the field, everyone has got the right to fight for their own team, for their own jersey, and want to come back in a winning dressing room. But, at the moment, I think you are representing India and representing 140 crore Indians and I am sure we are going to be on the same page and try and make India proud.

“I share a very good relationship off the field and we will continue to do that. But yes, to make it more public what kind of a relationship [we have] I think it is between two individuals.”

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“How many chats have I had with him, after my announcement or before my announcement, during the games, after the games - I think sometimes just because we want headlines - it is not important,” Gambhir said. “The most important thing right now is that we both have got to be working extremely hard to make India proud. And that is our job.

“He is a thorough professional, he is a world-class athlete, he is a world-class player. I have always said that. I have huge respect for him as a player and it is going to continue. And hopefully we can work together really well.”

“I think they have shown what they can deliver on the big stage, whether it’s the T20 World Cup or the 50-over World Cup as well,” Gambhir said. “One thing I can be very clear of is that both those guys have a lot of cricket left in them. More importantly, with the Champions Trophy [in 2025] and a big tour of Australia [in November 2024], obviously they would be motivated enough. And then, hopefully, if they can keep their fitness, the 2027 [ODI] World Cup as well.

“But this is a very personal decision. I can’t say how much cricket is left in them. Ultimately, it’s up to them as well, it’s up to the players. How much can they contribute to the team’s success. Because, ultimately, it’s the team that is important.

“But looking at what Virat and Rohit can deliver, I think they still have a lot of cricket [left to play]. They’re still world-class players and obviously any team would want to have both of them for as long as possible.”

Gambhir on his coaching plans

“Look from my point of view, it’s pretty simple. I believe in giving players the freedom. The relationship shouldn’t be between a head coach and a player. I think it should be built on trust and that is going to be very important. I can promise that the players will always have my backing. A happy dressing room is a winning dressing room, I have always believed in this. It’s my responsibility alongside the entire support staff to make it a happy and secure dressing room. I don’t complicate too many things.

“One thing we need to be clear is that I am taking over a very, very successful team – T20 world champion, runner-up in the World Test Championship, and runner-up in the 50-over World Cup. It’s not like it’s not a successful team. I think I have big shoes to fill. But I am excited and looking forward to it.”

“My experience and learning have been very simple. In spot, it’s all about winning. We don’t deviate from that. We try and play fair and we try and play hard. In sport, there can be only one winner. More importantly, we try and come back to a winning and happy dressing room. A happy dressing room is a winning dressing room. I don’t like to complicate things. That’s the sort of profession that I am in. Ultimately, it’s the players’ team. The support staff is there to try and help the players, try and get the best of them, and maximise their potential. We are there to give them freedom and make them express the way they want to and make them happy. Sometimes, international cricket can be tough. Only 15 can play, but the job of the support staff is to try and keep the players in a happy space. That’s something my team will be working towards, going forward.”

Gambhir on relationship with BCCI secretary Jay Shah

“I have a fabulous relationship with him. Mr Jay Shah and I go a long way back. All these speculations about different things are given on different pages. I think we can do a better job by clarifying those things rather than putting it in the press. We go a long way back. So far, it’s been a great relationship. Hopefully, it continues that way. The betterment of Indian cricket is more important. Gambhir is not important. All of us have hearts in the right place. If we all think that Indian cricket has to move forward, we will be on the same page. So far, I have had a great working relationship with him, hopefully, it will continue in the future as well.”

Gambhir on India’s cricket calendar

“Always been a challenge. After the Sri Lanka tour, we have got a month’s break. And then we have got 10 Test matches. We have got the big tour of Australia coming up as well. I think that’s what challenges are all about. Hopefully, we can do well in those Test matches. The chairman of selectors has already clarified that some of the players who missed out missed out because of the 10 Tests. Ravindra Jadeja, for example, is an important part of those Tests. Looking forward to those 10 Test matches.”

Gambhir on workload management

“Workload management for someone like Jasprit Bumrah is important. He is one rare kind of a bowler. It’s our responsibility to try and have him fresh for major games. Not just for Bumrah, but for most of the fast bowlers, workload management becomes really important.

“For batters, if they can play consistently and in good form, they might as well play all the games. And with now Rohit and Virat not playing T20I cricket, they only have two formats to look after. I am sure they are going to be available for most of the games.”

Gambhir on his support staff

“We still have one month after the Sri Lanka tour. We will try and finalise after the Sri Lanka tour. But, I have worked with people like Abhishek Nayar, Ryan Ten Doeschate very closely. In the last two months, especially in the IPL, I have enjoyed working with them. They are thorough professionals. Hope Ryan and Abhishek can have a successful stint. Hopefully, we can have a successful tenure as coaches. I am really looking forward to work with the rest of the other guys as well. I have had some really good feedback from the players about the other guys. I am really looking forward to working with them.

“Really happy with the BCCI. They have agreed to most of the things I have asked for. I was really surprised when I was reading all the news. Abhishek, as assistant coach, Ryan, as assistant coach. I feel there could be assistant coaches working and focussing on all three departments rather than one specific department. That’s the reason we now have two assistant coaches. That’s the way we will go forward as well. Yes, we will get to know the exact support staff after the Sri Lanka tour.”

Gambhir on three different teams for formats?

“Eventually, going forward, these things happen. See, Virat, Rohit and Ravindra are not there in T20is. So it will happen (transition). Right now, I can’t say there will be three different teams. Yes, the T20I team will go through a transition because 3 world-class players are retiring. But in 50 overs, in Test cricket, the more consistent we can be, the better it will be. The more players we have playing both formats, it’s always better for any team. That’s my opinion.”