‘Main challenge will be the conditions’ - Gautam Gambhir on preparations leading to BGT 2024-25

India are in an extremely tight spot after a humiliating 3-0 series defeat to New Zealand at home. To guarantee their place in the finals of the World Test Championship (WTC), the Rohit Sharma-led side need to beat Australia 4-0 in the upcoming five-match Test series, which won’t be an easy assignment, particularly given the form of some senior cricketers. Despite so, India camp is optimistic and expects a better performance.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir believes that the main challenge in Australia will be the conditions, which are very different to that of India. They played on spin-friendly tracks in the sub-continent in the recent past and hence, the players may take time to get adjusted to the Australian conditions, which hugely favours the pacers. Gambhir understands that and noted that the preparatory camp ahead of the first Test on November 22 in Perth will be extremely vital.

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“The main challenge will be the conditions, which are very different in India compared to Australia. This applies to both the support staff and players. If we can get solid preparation, there’s nothing better. We've been to Australia many times, so that experience will be crucial. We're ready to fire from the very first ball,” Gambhir said in the press conference.

"We have a lot of experienced players who have played in these conditions. Those inputs will be crucial for the young players. We have ten days of preparation ahead of the first Test," Gambhir added. 

We were outplayed by New Zealand: Gambhir

Gambhir admitted that New Zealand were the better team in the series and that they were outplayed in all three games. The 43-year-old also humbly accepted all the criticism that the team received following the series defeat and added that he shares an excellent relation with Rohit and hopes to be back on track in Australia.

“We were outplayed by New Zealand. Not going to defend. The criticism we are receiving we take it with both hands and we keep going forward. My relation with Rohit is great.