Gautam Gambhir held his first press conference as the head coach of the Indian cricket team ahead of India’s tour of Sri Lanka. The tour includes 3 T20Is and 3 ODIs starting on July 27.

Gambhir, who succeeded Rahul Dravid as head coach, shared his coaching philosophy, emphasizing the importance of giving players freedom and building trust. He assured the players that he will always support them.

“I believe in giving players freedom and establishing a relationship based on trust, not just a head coach-player dynamic. A happy dressing room is a secure one, and it is my responsibility, along with the support staff, to ensure that,” Gambhir stated at a press conference in Mumbai.

He also mentioned the team’s previous successes, acknowledging the challenge of taking over a team that has achieved significant milestones, such as winning the T20 World Cup and being runners-up in other major tournaments.

Gautam Gambhir outlined his focus on performing well in the 10 upcoming Tests that India will play, beginning with the home series against Bangladesh. India will face Bangladesh in 2 Tests, New Zealand in 3 Tests at home, and then Australia in 5 Tests.

Gambhir emphasized the challenges ahead, noting the importance of the upcoming Test matches. He mentioned that some players were omitted from the squad to manage their workload for these crucial Tests, highlighting Ravindra Jadeja’s significance in the Test lineup.

Gambhir also addressed the importance of workload management, particularly for key players like Jasprit Bumrah. He stressed that while consistent batters should play regularly, it’s crucial to keep bowlers like Bumrah fresh for major games.

Regarding the possibility of having three different teams for each format, Gambhir acknowledged the transition happening in the T20I squad due to the absence of players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. However, he emphasized the benefits of having players participate in multiple formats for team consistency.

Gambhir also spoke about his relationship with BCCI secretary Jay Shah, describing it as long-standing and positive. He dismissed speculations about disagreements, underscoring their shared commitment to the advancement of Indian cricket.

🗣️ A happy and secure dressing room is a winning dressing room: #TeamIndia Head Coach @GautamGambhir#SLvIND pic.twitter.com/ZJnNuUuWNY

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 22, 2024