New India coach Gautam Gambhir, after a successful 3-0 T20 series win against Sri Lanka, delivered a poignant message to his team, emphasising the importance of rest and continued dedication to fitness.
The three-match T20 series in Sri Lanka marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Indian team, with both Gambhir and new captain Suryakumar Yadav demonstrating their prowess. India showcased their resilience in the final T20I, especially after a near-collapse chase against Sri Lanka. The match turned on its head when Suryakumar Yadav introduced Rinku Singh into the bowling attack, a move that yielded two crucial wickets and turned the tide in India's favour.
In a dressing room speech, captured by the BCCI, Gambhir commended his team's performance, highlighting their fighting spirit and the need for constant improvement, particularly on challenging wickets like the one encountered in Pallekele. He emphasized the importance of quickly assessing conditions and adapting accordingly.
However, Gambhir also took the opportunity to address the players who would be taking a break from the upcoming ODI series, subtly addressing Hardik Pandya's decision to step away from the 50-over format.
"Guys, congratulations on a great series win. Congratulations to Surya as well, outstanding captaincy and with the bat as well," said Gambhir. "I asked for something before the start of the game and you absolutely delivered it. This is what happens when you keep fighting, (and when) you don't give up. These kind of games happen and the only way these key games can happen (in favour) is when we keep fighting on every delivery and for every run, and this was the example."
He continued, "We keep getting better, we keep improving our skills as well because we still need to get better on playing on wickets like these, because we might end up getting these kind of wickets (in future). So we should first assess the situation and conditions really quickly and what is the par score as well."
Looking ahead, Gambhir addressed the upcoming break for several players, stating, "Some of the guys will not be a part of the 50-overs format will have a longer break, so make sure when you come back for the Bangladesh series...you can take a break. You absolutely deserve it, but more importantly, keep your skills and especially the fitness levels high. You don't want to come for that series thinking that 'okay, I can just turn up, probably deliver for the team'. So make sure that from the fitness point of view, the fitness levels are right up there."
While Gambhir did not explicitly name Hardik Pandya, the BCCI had previously confirmed that the all-rounder's return to the ODI team hinges on proving his fitness in domestic cricket. This message from Gambhir serves as a reminder to all players, regardless of their individual circumstances, that commitment to fitness is a crucial factor in securing their place in the team.
With a packed international schedule ahead, including a crucial home Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand, Gambhir's message resonates beyond individual players. It emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to the game, requiring not only technical skill but also a unwavering dedication to physical preparation. This approach, coupled with Gambhir's evident leadership, bodes well for the future of the Indian cricket team.
