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Team India Head Coach, Gautam Gambhir, who succeeded former India cricketer and head coach Rahul Dravid after team’s T20 World Cup triumph in June 2024, recently opened up on the selection debate. Gambhir, who is known to be expressive both on and off the field addressed the selection debate surrounding the players, emphasising that its inclusion rather than exclusion.
The debate sparked after Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul marked their return in the India whites for the ongoing Test series against Bangladesh. Notably, the return of the trio impacted opportunities for younger cricketers, including Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel, who impressed on their debut in the England Test series earlier this year.
People might think that he's been dropped, but it's not about dropping: Gambhir
Speaking with JioCinema, Gautam Gambhir clarified that it is not about dropping someone, but the one who performs will get an opportunity, accepting that it is a challenging task. "It will always be a challenge because there is so much (in Indian cricket) and ultimately, you can only select XI. But if you can select an XI, it can do the job for you (that's all that matters). And I have been a firm believer that we don't drop anyone. We select anyone. So there's a way of looking at things," Gambhir told Jio Cinema.
Gambhir added that it is only about picking XI players at a time from the vast talent and opt for the best possible combination keeping in mind the opponents, ground and other factors. "A lot of people from outside might think that he's been dropped, but it's not about dropping someone. It's about selecting someone else to do the job for the team. If the other person can do the job for the team, then people will have to wait for their opportunities. That's how cricket goes. Sometimes, you have to wait for a much longer period of time than you should. Once you get the opportunity, you should be absolutely ready to grab it," he continued.
He also added that the selectors, captain of the side and the support staff need to be on the same page to pick the best of the talent and usually goes with the one which is best suitable. "One thing I can assure you is that there will be very clear and straightforward communication. I think the coach, the captain and the chairman of selectors should be on the same page rather than having different communications from different people. That is not how we plan to work. I know how vulnerable a sportsman can be,” he said.
“You literally live on the edge if you don't get paid or if you get dropped... I know how tough it is for a player. I have experienced it, Rohit has experienced it, the chairman of selectors must have experienced it. So, when you have experienced such things, you try and help the guy by giving him the right message and that is what's gonna happen this time," he concluded.
The Gautam Gambhir-coached Team India is currently hosting Bangladesh in a two-match Test series. While the series stand 1-0 in favour of the hosts, the second Test is currently underway in Kanpur with India winning the toss and inviting their near neighbours to bat first. The Najmul Hossain Shanto-led side have put 107 runs on the board with only 35 overs being bowled till the first session of Day 3.
