As India gears up for their three-match Test series against New Zealand, head coach Gautam Gambhir has confirmed that the team will persist with their aggressive batting approach. The Rohit Sharma-led squad plans to embrace high-risk, high-reward cricket, even in the longer format of the game.
Gautam Gambhir explained that the team’s think-tank is determined to back their players, encouraging them to play their natural game. “We want people to be aggressive, go out there and play their natural game. If they can get 400 or 500 runs in a day, why not?” said Gambhir during a pre-series press conference.
India demonstrated this bold strategy in their previous Test match against Bangladesh at Green Park Stadium, Kanpur. Despite rain delays, India set new records for the fastest 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 scores before declaring at 285/9. The team then chased down a target of 95 in just 17.2 overs, sealing the series 2-0.
Gautam Gambhir reiterated his support for this high-risk approach, acknowledging that there will be days when the team could get bowled out for low scores. However, the focus remains on entertaining fans and pushing the game forward.
Gambhir said, “I’ve always maintained T20 cricket has to be played that way, and we will play that way. High risk, high reward, high risk, high failure, and we will continue to play that way. There will be days when we’ll get bundled out for 100, but we’ll take it up, continue to back our players to go out there and play high risk cricket.”
He further added “That’s how we want to play, entertain the people of this country, and even in Test cricket, we want to keep making the game go forward, and try to get the results in whatever situation we are in.”
With this strategy in mind, India is ready to take on New Zealand, aiming to continue their winning momentum.
