Pune
India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir on Wednesday, shared his thoughts on the team’s shocking defeat against New Zealand in the Bengaluru Test, where India was bowled out for just 46 runs in the first innings. The match, which India lost by eight wickets, left the hosts in a difficult position with two more games to play in the series.
Speaking ahead of the second Test in Pune, Gambhir acknowledged the poor start but remained optimistic. He emphasized that despite the low first-innings score, the team was still focused on trying to win. ‘If we enjoy good days like we did in Kanpur, we have to accept tough days like Bengaluru. The positive takeaway was that we were still trying to set up the match after being bowled out for 46. We were 100 runs short of doing so,’ Gambhir said in a press conference.
Captain Rohit Sharma admitted after the match that misreading the pitch led to India batting first, a decision that backfired under challenging conditions. However, Gambhir highlighted the team’s attacking mindset, stating that India’s primary goal is always to win, with a draw being the second option.
Despite the defeat, India remains at the top of the standings, though their chances of securing a spot in next year’s final have taken a hit. The team’s win percentage dropped to 68.06%, with two more Tests against New Zealand and a crucial five-match series against Australia later this year.
