Mumbai: India batting coach Sanjay Bangar has strongly backed veteran opener Gautam Gambhir and said that he is a vital cog in India’s wheel. Gambhir will most likely to fill the opening slot vacated by KL Rahul (out with hamstring strain) and Shikhar Dhawan (out with finger injury). Gambhir last played for India against England in 2014 at Oval.
Gambhir will partner Murali Vijay and Karnataka batsman Karun Nair has replaced Dhawan in the squad. Gambhir last scored a Test hundred in 2010 and last played on home soil against England team in late 2012.
“Gautam Gambhir is a quality player. What he has done really well for the time he was out of the team was that he kept on performing for his (IPL) franchise and the state side. And when he got his opportunity in the Duleep Trophy, he was among the top run scorers and that too against the pink ball which certain batsmen found difficult to pick. He has ticked all the boxes,” said Bangar.
“I think the untimely injury to KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan makes it sure there is a place for him. He has a proven record against spin bowling. And the number of Test matches we are going to play in India, he becomes a very important player at the top of the order,” said Bangar.
Indiia still has to play 11 Test matches in the upcoming season. After New Zealand, men in blue will take on England (5), Australia (4) and Bangladesh for the solitary Test.
Bangar has strongly defended and come out in support of under fire captain Virat Kohli and said that Kohli is one innings away from returning to form and has always performed under pressure.
“He had a tremendous tour of the West Indies where he hit a double hundred. Even in Jamaica he was batting well and the Trinidad game was rained off. If you look at it, his innings (of 45) at Kolkata was match defining. India were tottering at 45 for 4 (in the second innings) when he and Rohit (Sharma) got together and stitched a brilliant rearguard partnership.”
“Obviously, at times, the volumes of runs don’t come, but even smaller contributions can help. That’s been something he has been doing. I am pretty sure he will also be eager to convert those into bigger ones. He has been making substantial contributions,” Bangar said.
The coach also emphasised on self-confidence with which the team face the difficult situations.
“The current group which has been playing Test series together over the last 12-15 months have a great belief in their abilities. We never think losing from any situation. That’s something which has transformed into on field performances.”
The former Indian all-rounder believes that India will go for a clean sweep and assured fans that there will be no drop in intensity and they would play the game very competitively and will not give an inch to the Kiwis.
“Whatever be the score-line, our intent will remain the same.”
Indore has been experiencing inclement weather with rain falling last night but Bangar feels it is unlikely to help the seam bowlers.
“Since this game is to be played in the first week of October and winter is yet to set in, there won’t be much assistance here for the seamers as far as movement is concerned. That’s my assessment,” he said.
Bangar was optimistic that it could be a blessing in disguise for the Indian team that Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has been ruled out due to back strain and Shardul Thakur, Mumbai paceman, who was part of the squad in West Indies would not let the team down.
While conceding that a lot many of the Indian batsmen were not converting half centuries into centuries, Bangar said the more important aspect is that the team’s interest was always kept on top more than personal landmarks.
“A lot of our batsmen get out after making 60, 70, 80. Every batsman thinks he has to cross the (century) landmark, but more important is that they keep the team’s interest in mind, more than personal landmarks.”
India has been playing splendid cricket keeping in mind the off field troubles and as the new No.1Test side in the world they would like to inflict a whitewash on the visiting side. The team under the leadership of Anil Kumble, head coach and Kohli have played fearless cricket and have taken the bull by the horns and the most important thing is that they are enjoying each others success and playing for the team.
The third Test will be played at Indore, Madhya Pradesh and Indore is hosting its first ever Test and fans are eagerly waiting for an exciting and a close match.