India embracing high-risk approach in T20s, says Gautam Gambhir
The underwhelming Test series against England might have been "frustrating" for Karun Nair at that time, but the India batter says it has also strengthened his resolve to "convert" the starts when the next opportunity comes his way.
'It was tough to give up cricket. But I received very good guidance from my mother. She told me to become a nice human being, whether I am a good cricketer or not.'
As India went into the second Test against England on Wednesday without pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, former players and coaches questioned the thinking behind resting the world's best bowler when they trail 0-1 in the series.
'Why let England know what's coming and what's not? Why not keep it under wraps and make them guess?'
The five-match Test series will take place from June 20 to August 4, with matches scheduled at Headingley (Leeds), Edgbaston (Birmingham), Lord's and The Oval (London), and Old Trafford (Manchester).
After hundreds upon hundreds of runs on flat tracks in the ongoing series so far, it took the green top at The Oval to finally produce the best day of the Indian summer, on the fifth and last Friday of the Test series.
Ravi Shastri cautions India about resting Bumrah in second Test against England
'That is how he developed his concentration and focus.'
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.'
A look at India's narrowest victories by run margin -- games that tested nerves, showcased grit, and etched unforgettable drama into Test history.
As Indian bowlers' desperate search for a breakthrough continued on Day 5 of the first Test against England in Leeds, poor show by fielders added to their woes.
Images from Day 5 of the fifth Test between England and India at The Oval, London, on Monday.
'...when they feel that they need me for any format, they would summon. My job is to perform and be ready for call ups.'
Indian players mourn Ahmedabad airplane crash victims before intra-squad match
'This will be a testing time for Indian cricket. And I'd say this truly marks the beginning of the Gautam Gambhir era.'
Shubman Gill and Jasprit Bumrah returned to India's T20 squad for next month's Asia Cup, but IPL star performers Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal missed out.
The ICC Cricketer of the Year in 2009, Gambhir went on to thank his family, friends and current Australia coach and former opener Justin Langer for helping him with his batting in 2015.
With India conceding more than 600 runs for the first time since 2014, the case for including a wicket-taking spinner like Kuldeep Yadav is stronger than ever for the must-win fifth and final Test against England.
'We obviously want to wheel him in, but we also want to respect where his body's at, and on the basis of that, we just felt that it wasn't worth including him in the squad.'
Former all-rounder and head coach Ravi Shastri has thrown his weight behind young Washington Sundar to be a 'genuine all-rounder for many, many years for India'.
T20 Mumbai final: Teams observe minute's silence, wear black armbands for Ahmedabad crash victims
Former Team India skipper Sourav Ganguly has categorically stated that he has no desire to pursue a career in politics, but said he is open to coaching the national side.
The series, to commence on June 20, will be played at Headingley in Leeds, Edgbaston in Birmingham, Lord's and The Oval in London, and Old Trafford in Manchester.
India's Test team has entered a bold new era - one without Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, or Ravichandran Ashwin - and the message from new head coach Gautam Gambhir is clear: it's time to fight, not just play.
Drawing on his own experience, Harbhajan recalled India's bold decision to field two spinners at Headingley in 2002, when he and Anil Kumble bagged 11 wickets between them on a green top.
The matter of Bumrah's availability for the series should have been a highly-guarded secret. That it was bandied about all through suggests the matter was deliberately placed in the public domain. This has become the basis of the hounding of Bumrah, by some former players and fans, asserts Rohit Mahajan.
Difficult to replace Bumrah but we have enough quality in squad for England tour: Gambhir
It took eight years for Karun Nair to don India jersey again but 25 days into his second coming in Test cricket, the Karnataka batter could well have played his last international game
With Rohit Sharma stepping away from Test cricket, all eyes are now on who will lead India into a new red-ball era.
India and England players will push their tired bodies on the line with everything to play for in the fifth and final Test starting at The Oval on Thursday
This year's Asia Cup hangs in the balance following the recent clashes between tournament hosts India and arch-rivals Pakistan.
On Wednesday, head coach Gautam Gambhir confirmed that they have yet to take a call on which Tests India will field Bumrah in the playing XI.
Former captain Sourav Ganguly on Thursday said India may have missed a trick by not playing Kuldeep Yadav at Lord's and Manchester, as quality spinners come to the fore on the last two days of a Test match.
There is Ravindra Jadeja, whose superior batting becomes a huge factor in SENA countries but against England's 'Bazballers', Kuldeep Yadav's versatility could complement pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah better if India harbour any hopes of picking 20 wickets.
Pain, Punt and Pant: Keeper of India's fortune fights back with broken foot
I expected seam and swing in England but on tracks like these only discipline helps: Akash Deep
Virat Kohli announced his retirement from the longest format on Monday, May 12 - drawing the curtain on one of the most iconic red-ball careers in Indian cricket history.
India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is up and running in Beckenham, putting in the hard yards before the upcoming five high-stakes Tests against England, slated to kick off on June 20 at Headingley.
Indian cricketers - both past and present - have voiced strong support for the armed forces following a daring cross-border strike
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances