‘Going Forward, Obviously’: Gautam Gambhir Breaks Silence on India Having a Separate Test Team

Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir has finally spoken out about the possibility of India having a separate Test team. While acknowledging that it's a hypothetical question at present, Gambhir emphasized the importance of identifying players who can handle the grind of red-ball cricket.

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Gautam Gambhir opens up on the idea of India having a separate Test team

Gautam Gambhir stressed that India needs batters who can bat sessions and handle the demands of Test cricket. He also highlighted the significance of the bowling attack in taking wickets.

Regarding India's recent series loss at home, Gambhir stated that it should hurt the young players as much as it has hurt the seniors. Gambhir believes that this hurt will drive the players to push themselves and improve. 

"See, at the moment it's difficult to answer this question. But going forward, obviously, we will have to identify players who are solid red-ball cricketers," he said.

"Because ultimately, to get the results, you will have to work really hard for three or four days or (even) five days to be honest. Sometimes, as I just mentioned, it's important to bat sessions as well.

"If you can bat sessions, we know that we've got the bowling attack to take wickets. At the moment it's difficult to answer because it's a hypothetical question. But yes, identifying the right red-ball batters is very, very important," he added.

Gambhir said India's first series loss at home in 12 years should hurt the young players as much as it has hurt the seniors. India lost the second Test match against New Zealand in Pune last week, resulting in their first home Test series loss since 2012. It was also New Zealand's first Test series win in India since they started touring this part of the world in 1955.

"I'm not going to sugarcoat this. Obviously, it's hurting and it's good that it's hurting, because it should hurt," he said.

"Every time you lose a game, be it at home or be it away from home, it should hurt and that hurt will make us better. Sometimes people say that it should not hurt. But it should hurt.

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"When you're playing for your country, what's wrong in being in that position? The more, especially for the youngsters, it's hurting them.

"I'm sure they're going to push themselves to keep getting better because that is exactly what we want them to be — pushing themselves every day to be a better cricketer and to do something special."

(With PTI inputs)