Gautam Gambhir press conference full text: What the coach said before Border Gavaskar Trophy

Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Before departing for Australia, India head coach Gautam Gambhir addressed a press conference in Mumbai, confidently fielding tough questions with straightforward—and blunt—answers. However, he left fans disappointed by not confirming Rohit Sharma's availability for the first Test.

In Short

• Gambhir addressed media before Border-Gavaskar Trophy
• No confirmation on Rohit Sharma's availability for first Test
• Defended Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's performance hunger

India head coach Gautam Gambhir addressed the media before the team departed for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, tackling a range of tough questions confidently. Known for his straightforward approach, Gambhir didn't shy away from being blunt when needed. However, he left fans disappointed by not confirming Rohit Sharma's availability for the first Test, leaving some uncertainty around India's lineup as they prepare to face Australia.

Gambhir defended skipper Rohit Sharma and star batter Virat Kohli, affirming their "incredible hunger" to perform and their readiness to bounce back in Australia. The Indian coach also dismissed any speculation that he is under pressure following India’s recent 0-3 home whitewash against New Zealand.

Gautam Gambhir Press Conference Highlights

Gambhir confirmed that the Indian team is not focused on qualifying for the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final but is instead concentrating on performing well in the five-match Test series against Australia and aiming for an overseas victory. Further, when questioned about criticism on social media, Gambhir took a firm stand, stating that online trolling and critics' comments hold no sway over his decisions. In the event Rohit misses the first Test, Gambhir revealed that Jasprit Bumrah, the team's vice-captain, would lead the Indian team.

ROHIT SHARMA's AVAILABILITY

"At the moment there is no confirmation, but you guys will let you know exactly what the situation will be. Hopefully, he is going to be available, but everything you will get to know before the start of the series. Bumrah is vice captain; if Rohit is not available, he is going to be lead in Perth,""

WTC FINAL CHANCES

"Look, honestly, we are not looking at what's going to happen in the World Test Championship. Whether we are going to qualify every series is important. As simple as it can get when you play for your country when you represent your country, every series is important, irrespective of what has happened in the past for us. I think, two good teams playing against each other, and obviously, we're absolutely keen to go out there and perform and try and win the series."

WHO OPENS IN ROHIT's ABSENCE

"Obviously there is [Abhimanyu] Easwaran and there is KL [Rahul] there. So we will take a call, closer to the first Test match if Rohit is not available. There are options there. It's not that there are not any options, but there are quite a lot of options in the squad. So once it gets close to the first Test match, we can plan the best playing 11.

READINESS FOR PINK BALL TEST

"No, I think we've got nine days before the Pink ball Test and we've got a two-day practice game against Prime Minister XI. So I think there's going to be enough time for us to prepare for the Ping Ball Test match and it's going to be exciting. I think that is something which a lot of people actually look forward to because it's a new thing. It's a great venue to play Pink ball Test match as well."

HARSHIT NOT PLAYING INDIA A GAMES

"He had played a first-class game against Assam and he did reasonably well in that game. So we all thought that I think he's had enough bowling under his belt rather than just sending him and playing him another first-class game. I think for us, I think it is important for a fast bowler to be fish as well. It's gonna be a long tour. It's going to be a five-match series. So the bowling coach and the physios and the trainers thought that he's had enough under his belt. And that was one of the reasons."

'NOT FEELING THE HEAT'

"What difference does social media make? What difference does it make in my life and or anyone's life? And when I took up the job, I always think that it's gonna be a highly difficult job and highly prestigious job as well and honestly, I don't think as if I'm feeling the heat, because my job is to be absolutely honest. And there are some incredibly tough people in that dressing room. Achieved some great things for the country, and we will continue to achieve some things for the country. So it's an absolute honour. Be it coaching them and coaching India."

'CHALLENGING AUSTRALIAN CONDITIONS'

"See the first and foremost challenge is obviously the conditions. Because when you play back home in India compared to when you play in Australia, the conditions are completely different. So that is the challenge, which we all feel, be it the support staff or the players as well. And I think 10 days, if we can get good, proper preparation before the start of the series, I think would have been really good shap. We've got a lot of experience players who've been to Australia a lot, many times, so obviously their experience will come in handy for the young players as well. So I'm sure I think these 10 days are gonna be very crucial. But come any second morning, I think we should be absolutely ready and ready to fire a fire from ball one."

'INCREDIBLE RELATION WITH ROHIT'

" Obviously, the learning is that we accept that we were outplayed. I'm not gonna sit here and defend. I think we were up in all three departments. They were more professional, and we accept that. And I think the criticism, what we are receiving, I think we take it with both hands and we keep moving forward, keep getting better every day. And when you talk about being hands-on, I think my relationship with Rohit has been incredible. We've three test matches before we had an incredible Test match in Kanpur as well. So I know that we haven't played test cricket but it doesn't change anything that Australia is a new series. Australia is a new opponent and we go out there thinking that we're going to definitely try and win the series.

ON PICKING NITISH OVER SHARDUL

"I think we've picked the best squad who can do the job for us. We all know how incredibly talented Nitish Reddy is and if given an option, he will deliver for us. And it's also about moving forward. And I feel that the best set of players, what we have selected to do the job for the country."

"RAHUL IS A QUALITY PLAYER'

"I think that is the quality of KL Rahul that he can actually bat at the top of the order. He can bat at number three and he can actually bat at number six as well. So you need quite a lot of talent doing these jobs as well. And he's kept in one day format as well. Imagine how many countries have played like who can actually open the batting and can bat at number six as well. So I feel if it be, I think he can do the job for us especially if Rohit is not available for the first Test."

WILL SHUBMAN OPEN?

"I can't let you know about playing 11. Obviously, you keep asking this question, but the point is that we will try and get the best combination possible to do the job for us in Perth, be it Shubman opening, opening the batting or Easwaran or KLo. I think that all depends that what we feel is the right combination."

'NO CONCERNS OVER VIRAT AND ROHIT'

"I have got no concerns whatsoever for Virat and Rohit. What does Ponting have to do with Indian cricket? I think you should think about Australian cricket and what I have got no concern for Virat and Rohit and I think they are incredibly tough. They've achieved a lot for Indian cricket and they will continue to achieve a lot in future. For me the most important thing is that they still work really hard. They are still passionate, they still want to achieve a lot more and that is something which is very important. Hunger in a dressing room is incredibly important for me and the entire group of people as well in the dressing in the dressing room and I feel there's a lot of hunger and especially after what has happened in the last series."

'NOT THINKING ABOUT TRANSITION'

"Honestly, I am not even thinking the team is in transition. There are some incredibly tough people in the dressing room who will achieve big things in the future. Transition or no transition those things will continue to happen in Indian cricket."