Gautam Gambhir: “We will keep improving” after India’s spin struggles against New Zealand

The recent loss against New Zealand at home has reignited concerns about India's proficiency on turning tracks, prompting head coach Gautam Gambhir to address these worries head-on. Gambhir firmly stated that he does not believe Indian batsmen have lost their ability to play spin, although he acknowledged a decline in their defensive skills due to the predominance of T20 cricket in recent years.

In a press conference held a day before the third Test in Mumbai, Gambhir highlighted the importance of recognizing the performances of opposition players, singling out Mitchell Santner for his exceptional display in the last match. "We are committed to honing our skills and improving. The players are putting in the hard yards during practice sessions. Ultimately, in international cricket, results are what counts, but I firmly believe our skills against spin haven't eroded. It's about continued effort and improvement," Gambhir stated.

The Indian batting lineup faced significant challenges during their recent matches, including a disastrous outing where they were bowled out for just 46 runs in Bangalore. This alarming trend continued, as they lost 7 wickets for 54 runs, 6 wickets for 73 runs, and 5 wickets for 40 runs in subsequent games. These performances have prompted the team to focus intensively on developing their batting under adverse conditions.

Gambhir emphasized the need for better defensive techniques, especially on turning tracks. "Playing sessions in Test cricket is everything. If we can play four to four and a half sessions, we will score a lot of runs on the board. This inability to meet that basic demand highlights the challenge modern batsmen face in the era of T20 cricket," he explained. He stressed that effective defense is essential, asserting, "If you trust your defense, many issues can be resolved."

The upcoming Mumbai Test is expected to be played on a pitch that could favor spinners, prompting careful preparations from the team. After a practice session, captain Rohit Sharma and star batsman Virat Kohli closely inspected the pitch alongside assistant coach Abhishek Nair. Following Kohli's departure, Gambhir joined the discussion with Rohit and bowling coach Morne Morkel to strategize for the match.

Addressing the evolving landscape of cricket, Gambhir noted that as the popularity of T20 formats continues to rise, teams may find themselves grappling with similar challenges on spin-friendly pitches. "A true cricketer is one who can excel in both T20 and Test formats, adeptly adapting their game to suit different conditions," he elaborated.

As the Indian team prepares for their upcoming tour of Australia, Gambhir emphasized the importance of securing a win in the final Test against New Zealand to build positive momentum. He also revealed that over 20 net bowlers are present at Wankhede Stadium for specialized training sessions, allowing the batsmen to refine their techniques ahead of the challenging tour. "We know we have the bowling attack to take 20 wickets if we can bat through the sessions," he concluded.