Kohli and Gambhir bond over Test cricket
The two have decided to take the spice out of the chatter surrounding them by sharing a laugh and some thoughts on their aggressive personalities, love for Test cricket and similar aspirations growing up
PTI
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Gambhir, Kohli is the torch-bearer of Test cricket.PHOTO:PTI
Chennai,18 Sept
Two feisty
cricketers who love to get in the face of the opposition to get the best out of
themselves. Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli were not expected to have a smooth
relationship when the former was roped in as India's head coach.
But the two
have decided to take the spice out of the chatter surrounding them by sharing a
laugh and some thoughts on their aggressive personalities, love for Test
cricket and similar aspirations growing up.
"Here
we are putting an end to all the masala and spice," said Kohli as he
interviewed head coach Gambhir for bcci.tv ahead of the first Test against
Bangladesh here.
"That
is a good start to the conversation," the southpaw said in response.
Gambhir
played with an aggressive mindset all through his career and Kohli continues to
play the game with the intensity of a teenager. Considering that, their
on-field confrontations in the IPL over the years were hardly a surprise.
In the
insightful chat, the two strong personalities looked back at their days in
Delhi and Indian cricket.
The
conversation flowed after they watched footage of the 2011 World Cup final
where Gambhir played a match-winning knock and shared an 83-run stand with his
younger teammate Kohli.
"We
have come a long way. From playing together for a long time, being part of the
same dressing to having ups and downs," said Kohli before Gambhir added
that everything that happened between them was in "good spirits".
One could
gauge their similar mindset with the way they talked about Test cricket.
Gambhir began his India career when there was no IPL and always aspired to be a
successful red-ball cricketer. Kohli, on the other hand, is arguably the most
high profile supporter of Test cricket.
"Test
cricket is the pinnacle of the game. I made my ODI debut before playing Tests.
Making Test debut remains my best memory till date. We always thought we would
be judged by what we do in red-ball cricket," recollected Gambhir.
The
42-year-old opener, being five years older to Kohli, had established himself
when the latter burst on the scene. Kohli still vividly remembers the days when
he aspired to be in the league of Gambhir and other big names of Delhi cricket.
"There
used to be Kotla 1 and Kotla 2 (nets). We always wanted to be there (with the
likes of Gambhir and Co). My first aspiration was to play first class cricket
for Delhi. Now you can understand where the competition comes from because the
perspective (his and Gambhir's) is very similar," said the most successful
Indian Test captain.
For Gambhir, Kohli is the torch-bearer of Test cricket.
"You
guys are the torchbearers of Test cricket. In today's day and age the challenge
will always remain, how we can motivate the next generation of cricketers. I
believe the stronger your Test team, the stronger your cricket," said the
former opener and Kohli could not agree more with him.
India needs next generation of bowlers
Both
Gambhir and Kohli also agreed that India will have to find the next generation
of pacers and spinners to extend their successful run in the longest format. As
captain, Kohli had placed emphasis on playing five specialist bowlers, a
strategy that paid rich dividends.
"A lot
will depend on the next generation of bowlers. We will keep producing quality
batters. That is how the structure has been," said Gambhir.
"But
does the younger generation have motivation to bowl 20 overs in a day? Someone
like Jasprit Bumrah, he just loves to bowl but do the next generation of fast
bowlers find enjoyment in bowling 20 overs in a day, even the spinners?
"If
you enjoy doing that, that is the only way one would be motivated to play
Tests. That is going to be a challenge for all of us to figure out who these
guys are," said the coach.
Kohli
reserved his last question for Gambhir's umpteen run-ins with opposition
bowlers. However, he was quickly reminded about his own on field demeanour.
"You
had more altercations. Maybe you can answer this better," said Gambhir
(laughs).
"That
is what the personality I had and that is the personality you have. At times
that conversation can get you in the zone. I don't want the current players to
change one bit," added the head coach.-PTI
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