Knight Riders skipper Gambhir urges team to be fearless
Gautam Gambhir was not part of the victorious Indian team against the Australians in the recently concluded four-match Test series as he was failing consistently. And when he was later recalled for the fourth match, he was not available due to jaundice.
But, now, as the Indian Premier league is approaching, Gambhir feels that he has overcome both the crisis. The left-hander is all set to lead the defending champions — Kolkata Knight Riders, who will kick off their campaign on the inaugural match against Delhi Daredevils on April 3 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
“I am much better now and looking forward to the IPl,” Gambhir, who launched the National School league (NSl), an initiative by Criclan.com, said here on Thursday.
Gambhir had been going through a form slump for quite some time. He then scored a ton against the Australia XI during a practice game and a fifty in the Syed Mustaq Ali tournament.
But, he believes that form is a state of mind and he is hitting the ball well. “For me, form is just a state of mind. It’s all about how you feel hitting the ball. In India, runs are only counted. I am hitting the ball well. If you are confident, fearless and ready to express yourself, that’s matter the most,” he said.
Asked whether he was feeling some pressure, by the virtue of being the skipper of the defending champions, Gambhir said, “It’s not about pressure. It’s an honour to lead KKR. It’s about all the players and how they cope with it. last year, the pressure was shared and in fact the pressure was more. Everyone was saying that they come with so much of popularity but not with results. So, we have proved them wrong.
“We worked very hard and hopefully this year, we would like to better our performance. I want the likes of Yusuf (Pathan), Manoj (Tiwary) and Bisla (Manvinder) to forget about any kind of pressure and play fearlessly. Now I want my boys to be fearless and express themselves out there in the middle. If we play to our potential, we are certainly a team to watch out for. We don’t see any competition. The competition is among us,” the skipper added.
KKR has appointed Brett lee as the bowling mentor and Gambhir is sure that the Australian will thrive under extra responsibility.
“I don’t think there will be any additional pressure on Brett. It is better to appoint someone who is a part of the set-up rather than someone new. Also he has been bowling really well. He still has the firepower left in him. Some people perform better when given more responsibility. I am confident that he will do his job,” the 31-year old said.
During the event, Gambhir also stressed on the importance of school cricket and how young kids can retain the work ethics which is required for playing the longer version of the game.
The conversation then involuntarily veered towards the Indian team’s whitewash of Australia. Gambhir, though, praised the Indian team but pointed out that to become number one Test team, India needed to win overseas.
“Unless a team wins overseas, they are not recognised as a force. I have always believed that winning in overseas conditions matters a lot. Defeating a team in their own backyard is important. I am happy that we have done well at home.
“There is nothing wrong in using home advantage as every country does that. But, look at South Africa. They are not only winning at home, they have defeated Australia in Down Under. They went to England and defeated them. That’s why everyone knows they are the number one Test side in the world,” Gambhir signed off.