The Indian batters' skill set against quality spin bowling has certainly not gone down over the last few years, India head coach Gautam Gambhir said on Thursday as he felt that the slam-bang nature of T20 cricket has affected players' defence.
India were once again found wanting at Pune in the second Test as their 113-run loss on a spin-friendly pitch ended their 12-year unbeaten run on home soil.
"I don't think so," Gambhir asserted when asked if Indian batters' spin negotiating skills have gone down.
"Sometimes you have to give it to the opposition as well. Mitchell Santner was outstanding in the last game. But yes, we'll keep working hard, we'll keep getting better. Guys are putting in a lot of hard yards in the nets.".
"Ultimately it's the results that matter when you're playing international cricket but I don't think that our skill against spin has actually gone down. It's about probably keep working hard and keep getting better," Gambhir said on the eve of the final Test.
Gambhir said the cricketers are now so used to playing fast-paced and hard-hitting cricket that it might have impaired the art of defence.
"Sometimes you're so used to muscling the ball that you forget the soft hands which perhaps used to happen eight or 10 years back. A complete cricketer is a cricketer who plays T20 format and Test cricket successfully. He can adapt his game.".
"Growth is not about hitting the ball in the stands only. It is also about batting sessions on a turning track where you are aware that you won't hit in the stands but could rotate well. For all that, I think a very important foundation is established.".
"But you will see probably going forward in the future, we'll have the same issues with lots of other teams also because the more the T20 cricket is played, the lesser people will start defending." Recalling that dead rubbers are history in Test cricket where teams fight hard for WTC points, Gambhir attributed much result-orientation of the format also to the impact of T20 cricket on batters which increases day in and day out.
"Every Test match has an importance but it also has a lot to do with T20 cricket as well. Gone are those days where, we'll see a lot of draws in Test cricket because the quality of batters and the hitting ability (has changed).
More result-oriented (matches). It's the combination of being under pressure every game because of the WTC points and the second thing is T20 cricket as well, he said.
They want to win the series before traveling to an arduous Australia tour.
"We should try and win this Test match so that we can go to Australia with a win under our belt. It's another great opportunity for people to do something special for the country. We very well know that we represent 140 crore Indians.".
It's another chance because not many people get this chance and privilege to play for the country in Test cricket. More than 20 net bowlers assisted Indians to train over two days here at the Wankhede Stadium, Gambhir said they were called in to ensure the batters get long stints in the nets.
"I didn't count how many bowlers were there. But the more the merrier. Probably to just make the guys bat longer and they were quality (bowlers) as well so if they can bat longer in the nets, it's better preparation.".
"We know that when we go to places like Australia, we don't get those kinds of quality bowlers. We always have the luxury when we're playing at home that we get a lot of bowlers so that guys can bat long and that's about it. There was nothing beyond that." Despite their batters cutting a sorry figure in the first two Tests, Gambhir backed India to adapt to situations accordingly.
Test cricket has to be played like Test cricket. We need to be that side which can score 400 on a day if we have to gain the result and at the same time, we must be able to bat for two days also. That is what growth is, and that is what Test cricket all about.
Test cricket cannot be played in one single fashion because it is all about adaptability. It's all about looking at the situation and playing according to the situation.
It's a Collective Responsibility; Batters Aren't Solely to Blame, Gambhir
India head coach Gautam Gambhir said he does not want to single out the batters alone for the debacle against the visiting New Zealand side, saying that every player has the responsibility towards the team.India suffered their first Test series defeat at home in 12 years when they lost the second Test by 113 runs to India in Pune on October 26. The hosts had lost the first Test by eight wickets in Bengaluru. In three of the four innings, the team totals were 46, 156, and 245, with batters struggling against both swing and spin.
"Everyone has the responsibility, I cannot say just the batters have let us down," Gambhir said at the press conference ahead of the third Test here from Friday.
He also ruled out bringing new players for the final Test.
"We are not in a situation where we can think of that," Gambhir doused the speculations of an imminent debut being handed to Harshit Rana as reported in some quarters.
"Harshit Rana is not part of the squad. He has just come here to prepare for the Australia tour, Abhishek (Nayar) made it clear yesterday. IPL retention has nothing to be spoken about, we have a Test match here.
"Everyone is available for selection; we will take a call tomorrow."
Gambhir admitted that defeat in the Test series would hurt the team but added that it should spur them to do better in the future.
"I am not going to sugarcoat that it is hurting. It should hurt and that will make us better. What is wrong in being in this position?
"I'm sure this will motivate the young blokes to do better with the bat and ball. If we have outcomes like this in Kanpur, well, may be we need to have an outcome like this and continue," Gambhir said after the loss.
The opener felt the batters could have learned from the conditions of the game and accordingly performed on the field.
"Test cricket should be played like Test cricket. If we have to get 400 runs inside a day's play, we should be able to get it. For me, it is about playing the sessions as well. If we play 4.5 sessions, we will have a lot of runs on board.".
"A complete cricketer is one who can adapt successfully. Not just being able to hit the stands but also rotate strike successfully," he said.
Talking about the defensive technique of batters being affected by T20 cricket, Gambhir said, "The more the T20 cricket is played (around the world), the more the people will struggle in defending.".
"But the most successful players irrespective of the formats always had strong defence. We need to keep telling people the importance of defence, and we are working hard on it, and we will see results in the future."
Asked about the Wankhede Stadium pitch, over which so much speculation had been written in the columns, he said, "It is just a good wicket. Very difficult for anybody to judge before both the teams have batted on it."
Speaking of his journey at the helm of affairs so far, Gambhir said, "I never expected a very easy run for me. I know that we lost in Sri Lanka and against NZ, and it is not a good place to be. All we can do is keep working hard, and we will try winning every game that we play to represent the country."
He showed some empathy when he handled players under pressure.
"I understand it is totally different thing when you played and now as a coach; you need to put your arm around the players."
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