Out of favour India opener, Gautam Gambhir feels irrespective of the how the conditions are in England for the five-match Test series, India should look to play as the number one Test side in the world.
The Men in Blue performed quite well in South Africa early this year. Despite losing the series, the efforts were there for everyone to see. After going down in the first two Tests, India a made a sensational comeback on a tough Johannesburg wicket and registered one of the most impressive victories for the team on foreign soil.
India had played a terrific brand of cricket of late and will back themselves to win the series in England. Even A for the visiting team.
Gautam Gambhir, on the other hand, stated playing five bowlers will be the first sign that will India are here not to compete but to win the Test series. He said the attitude of the team should be like a No 1 side irrespective of what the results are.
Five bowlers will indicate the team is here to win
“If you pick five bowlers you give that indication to the opposition that you are here to take 20 wickets,” Gambhir said during a discussion with Gautam Bhimani and Zaheer Khan for Cricbuzz. “Even if your batters get around 250-300 runs, we have got the bowling attack to get you out. If you are looking at bits and pieces that someone can contribute here and there and bowl a few overs, that can become a defensive mindset.
It might work in ODI’s and T20’s, but in Test cricket, I think you should go with your best five bowlers because they are the guys who will win you the Test match and the Test series,” Gambhir added.
Meanwhile, Zaheer Khan also stated the moral victory in South Africa was indeed a great achievement.
He said results on tough tours would come, but the process might be perfect. India lost the Test series in the Rainbow nation but put up a great fight.
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