India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, acknowledged the nation’s enduring “obsession” with batters, despite the rise of exceptional bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah.
Gautam Gambhir
Speaking candidly to the media, Gambhir shared his excitement about the growing recognition of fast bowlers in Indian cricket. Traditionally, India has revered batters, but Bumrah has soared to superstar status, with the legendary Ravichandran Ashwin recently naming him the team’s ‘Most Valuable Player.’
Gambhir was direct in addressing India’s batting-centric culture, stating, “India is a batting-obsessed nation.” He also praised bowlers like Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja for helping shift perceptions.
“Jasprit Bumrah is the best fast bowler in the world across all formats. Having him in the dressing room is a game-changer,” Gambhir said.
Gambhir further acknowledged the impact of Ashwin and Jadeja, saying, “These players are helping to change the narrative about bowlers in India, especially in Test cricket.”
Looking ahead to India’s Test series against Bangladesh, Gambhir congratulated Bangladesh for their stunning 2-0 Test series victory over Pakistan. He emphasized the need for India to approach the upcoming series with focus and respect for their opponents.
“I have always believed that we don’t fear anyone, but we respect everyone. It’s the same with Bangladesh. We don’t focus on the opposition—we focus on playing our game,” he noted.
Gambhir expressed admiration for Bangladesh’s experienced players like Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Mehidy Hasan, while emphasizing the importance of India being switched on from the very first ball.
“I congratulate them on what they achieved in Pakistan, but this is a new series. Bangladesh is a quality side, and we want to play good cricket,” he concluded.
As Gambhir prepares for his first Test series as head coach, following average results in T20Is and ODIs, his focus now shifts to the format he is most passionate about: Test cricket.
