For the first time in many years, India are going into a home Test match as underdogs and not favourites. Ask any player worth his salt and he would tell that it is not a happy place to be.
I won't be able to play freely if I focus on criticism: Harshit Rana
India have long curated home tracks that accentuate turn, but the assumption their own batters would master such conditions no longer appears safe following their defeat in the opening Test against South Africa.
Gambhir, a former BJP MP, was effusive in his praise for the Indian cricket board for inviting the three chiefs of the armed forces to attend the IPL title clash, saying, 'It's an unbelievable step.'
This is the first time in nearly seven decades that India have suffered two successive series whitewashes at home.
Managing a draw from the brink of defeat would give India a psychological edge over England in the fifth and final Test, said head coach Gautam Gambhir.
The Indian selectors will be announcing the team for the three-match ODI series against the Black Caps, starting January 11 in Vadodara and there have been speculations about whether Pant can hold on to his place in the squad.
'The best coach is the one who is tactically superior. He should know how to pick the right XI according to the conditions.'
Difficult to replace Bumrah but we have enough quality in squad for England tour: Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir, Rohit Sharma ignore each other on match eve
India head coach Gautam Gambhir has backed the BCCI's directive to limit the presence of cricketers' families during long overseas tours.
Fans thronged the airport to catch a glimpse of the 38-year-old, who stopped graciously to sign autographs and pose for selfies before heading home.
What Gambhir Wants: Players who are not playing to the gallery, care for dressing room
'He will be a people's man. He will capture everybody's heart.'
Most pitch curators are possessive about the main square on a cricket field but Lee Fortis, the chief curator at The Oval, takes that obsession to a sacrosanct level.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir has dismissed claims that his team had an unfair advantage in the Champions Trophy by being stationed in Dubai.
India will look to reprise their home template of big first-innings totals and sustained spin in the short two-Test series against South Africa beginning in Kolkata on Friday.
Little-known ambidextrous Bengal spinner Kaushik Maity seamlessly doubled up for both roles during the optional practice session.
'Indian cricket will be in safe hands till honest people stay in the dressing room.'
The Indian team's heavy reliance on all-rounders will be tested by a plucky Australia in the second ODI but the spotlight will continue to stay firmly on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, both of whom would look to turn back the clock with series-saving knocks in Adelaide on Thursday.
Working with Abhishek has made me understand how to become a coach: Yuvraj Singh
Amid his poor run, there was also speculation that he had developed serious differences with Gambhir and that there was dissension in the dressing room due to the poor performance of him and other senior batters, including Virat Kohli.
Domestic veterans Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rajat Patidar and Rinku Singh could keep the team management interested going forward in Test cricket.
The national selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar, in all likelihood, will select identical squads for the five-match T20I series against New Zealand and the marquee ICC T20 World Cup, a BCCI source said on Friday.
Cricketer-turned-MP Gautam Gambhir shared a heartwarming picture featuring wife Natasha Jain and their daughters Aazeen and Anaiza against a snowy backdrop in Gstaad, Switzerland, simply captioned, 'Snow and Us'.
Ahead of India's Test and T20I series against Bangladesh, Head Coach Gautam Gambhir made a pilgrimage to the Kamakhya temple in Guwahati.
Interestingly, former Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma, who led India to winning the T20 World Cup on June 29, was away at Wimbledon on Friday, missing the event.
Ashwin has had the opportunity to play under the wing of both stars. He pointed out that there isn't a huge gap between Gambhir and Dravid's approach or the passion that the duo shares for Indian cricket.
Gautam Gambhir came under fire from the fans after he promoted the fantasy cricket app Real11 on his social media accounts.
'When you are playing on spin-friendly pitches, you need to prepare differently.'
Australia skipper Mitchell Marsh expressed disappointment at the loss but praised India's all-round performance.
India's Head Coach Gautam Gambhir has seen both ends of the spectrum with high of Champions Trophy and low of six Test losses and he'll have tough choices to make once the new two-year cycle comes around with the new season.
India's awe-inspiring batting depth will face a stern test against South Africa's quality spin attack in the first Test, starting in Kolkata on Friday.
Former India head coach Rahul Dravid is expecting his successor Gautam Gambhir to do a "great" job with the national team.
Team India skipper Shubman Gill is unlikely to feature in the second Test against South Africa, with Cricket Association of Bengal sources confirming that he is not travelling to Guwahati with the team on Wednesday.
Cheteshwar Pujara refuses to believe India's recent poor record at home is because of transition.
With Rohit Sharma stepping away from Test cricket, all eyes are now on who will lead India into a new red-ball era.
This would mark the first time an Indian head coach travels with the 'A' team on a tour.
MCG to Barsapara: Gambhir and Pant might be feeling a sense of deja vu
'You also know that Gambhir has an aura, the way he comes and takes the team along. I was just talking about that.'
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances