India’s preventing draw within the fourth Test towards England introduced out the combatant in Gautam Gambhir, who lambasted “critics” of recent captain Shubman Gill and asserted that his team is preventing for “the common man back home”.
Gambhir needs his gamers to make their very own historical past slightly than comply with anybody from the previous together with himself. And, after a memorable comeback within the Manchester Test, they’re transferring in that path.
“They want to fight for the common man back home. And the important thing is that the way a lot of people had written us off in this Test match, this is the foundation of this team,” Gambhir mentioned within the post-match press convention on Sunday (July 27, 2025).
“These are characters who are sitting in this dressing room, wanting to fight for the country and they will continue to do that,” mentioned the pinnacle coach.
A 188-run stand between captain Shubman Gill and Ok L Rahul saved India within the fourth Test towards England earlier than Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja earned a spirited draw for the guests with an unbeaten 203-run alliance.
Asked whether or not he gave a pep speak to the gamers after day 4 and made a reference to his match-saving 137 in Napier back in 2009, Gambhir responded within the damaging.
“Look, the first thing is that I don’t remember any of my knocks, that has become history. I think they should make their own history. Honestly, no one in this team will follow anyone or want to follow. They should make their own history,” he mentioned.
Gambhir additionally felt that criticism of Gill, if any, in his first project as India’s Test captain is with out benefit. Gill has scored 4 tons of within the collection thus far.
“There was never any doubt about Shubman Gill’s talent. If someone had doubts, they probably don’t understand cricket. Some players take time to settle in international cricket. In this dressing room, no one is surprised by what he’s done on this tour,” Gambhir mentioned.
“Even if he hadn’t performed the way he did, we would still have had complete faith in his talent. What matters is that he’s living up to his expectations and potential. More importantly, the so-called pressure of captaincy doesn’t seem to affect him when he bats; he plays as a batsman, not as a captain,” he added.
Managing a draw from the brink of defeat would give India a psychological edge over the hosts within the fifth and remaining Test in London beginning August 31, felt Gambhir.
“…when you’re put under the pressure, when you’re put under the pump and you end up adding five sessions, I think that’s a great character. And anything that you do in these conditions, when you’re put under pressure and you come out of those pressure moments, it is always a great feeling.
“And it simply finally ends up giving loads of confidence within the dressing room as nicely. And I’m certain, I believe going into Oval, I believe we shall be excessive on confidence, however we will not take something for granted,” he said.
Under new captain Gill, the team is going through a transition but Gambhir doesn’t see it that way.
Considering the inexperience in the side, the squad has done well especially Gill who racked up his fourth hundred of the series on Sunday.
“Good you used that phrase transition however I do not see it like that as a result of it’s nonetheless an Indian team. This is the perfect 18 that’s going to symbolize. It is simply expertise and inexperience.
“And that is how we see this. But the most important thing is that these guys got to learn a lot from what they did today.
“Because being beneath stress, batting 5 classes is rarely simple on day 5 of the Test towards an assault like England. And then popping out with a draw and solely dropping 4 wickets…,” he said.
No praise enough for Rishabh
Pant added crucial first innings runs for the team despite batting with a fractured foot after missing a reverse sweep off Chris Woakes on day one. He managed to get a half-century, helping India post 358 on day two.
Pant was not required to bat in the second innings as Jadeja and Sundar steered India out of trouble.
“Rishabh already, it has been declared that he is out of the collection. And one factor I wish to say is that the character and the muse of this team shall be constructed on what Rishabh did for the team and for the nation as nicely,” said Gambhir.
“Any quantity of reward just isn’t sufficient for him, particularly batting with a damaged foot. Not many individuals have completed that previously. And he had put his hand up, and that’s the reason I say any quantity of reward…,” he said.
Gambhir said Pant’s knock would not be forgotten for generations to come.
“I can sit right here and discuss this for hours and hours. I believe the generations to return ahead will discuss this. And generations coming ahead ought to discuss it, that there’s somebody who has batted with a damaged foot. And it is unlucky due to the form of kind he was in.
“But again, he’s an important member of the Test side. And I hope he recovers quickly and comes back quickly and try and deliver a game for us,” mentioned the previous India batter.
