Gautam Gambhir appeared in front of the media in his first press conference as head coach of the Indian team ahead of India’s tour of Sri Lanka. India is set to play 3 T20Is and 3 ODIs in Sri Lanka starting July 27 onwards.

Gambhir, who has succeeded Rahul Dravid in the head coach role, revealed his coaching mantra and said that he believes in giving freedom to the players and has added that players will always have his back.

“I think it’s important to give players the freedom. That’s what I absolutely believe in, and not having a relationship that is strictly of a head coach and a player. For me, the best relationship is one built on trust, and that is going to be very important. I can promise the guys that they will always have my back. I’ve always said that a happy dressing room is a secure dressing room. So, it’s my responsibility, alongside the entire support staff, to make it a happy and secure dressing room,” Gambhir said during a press conference in Mumbai.

“I don’t complicate too many things, nor do I want to complicate them. One thing we need to be clear about is that I’m taking over a very successful team: T20 world champions, runners-up in the World Championship, and another runner-up in the 50-over World Cup. It’s not that it’s not a successful team. So, yes, I think it’s big shoes to fill,” he added.

Gautam Gambhir also said that his focus will be to do well in all the 10 remaining Tests India will play starting from the Bangladesh series at home. India will play 2 Tests against Bangladesh, 3 against New Zealand at home, and then 5 Tests in Australia.

“Always been a challenge. After the Sri Lanka tour, we have got a month's break. And then we have got 10 Test matches. We have got the big tour of Australia coming up as well. I think that's what challenges are all about. Hopefully, we can do well in those Test matches. The chairman of selectors has already clarified that some of the players who missed out missed out because of the 10 Tests. Ravindra Jadeja, for example, is an important part of those Tests. Looking forward to those 10 Test matches,” Gambhir added.

Gautam Gambhir spoke on the workload management of players going forward, especially someone like Jasprit Bumrah.

He stated: “Workload management for someone like Jasprit Bumrah is important. For batters, if they can play consistently and in good form, they might as well play all the games. And with now Rohit and Virat not playing T20I cricket, they only have two formats to look after. I am sure they are going to be available for most of the games. Yes, for Jasprit Bumrah (workload management), he is one rare kind of a bowler. It's our responsibility to try and have him fresh for major games. Not just for Bumrah, but for most of the fast bowlers, workload management becomes really important.”

Gautam Gambhir was also asked whether India will have three different teams in three formats going forward.

Gambhir said: “Eventually, going forward, these things happen. See, Virat, Rohit, and Ravindra are not there in T20is. So it will happen (transition). Right now, I can't say there will be three different teams. Yes, the T20I team will go through a transition because 3 world-class players are retiring. But in 50 overs, in Test cricket, the more consistent we can be, the better it will be. The more players we have playing both formats, it's always better for any team. That's my opinion.”

Gautam Gambhir also spoke on his relationship with BCCI secretary Jay Shah.

“I have a fabulous relationship with him. Mr Jay Shah and I go a long way back. All these speculations about different things are given on different pages. I think we can do a better job by clarifying those things rather than putting them in the press. We go a long way back. So far, it's been a great relationship. Hopefully, it continues that way. The betterment of Indian cricket is more important. Gambhir is not important. All of us have hearts in the right place. If we all think that Indian cricket has to move forward, we will be on the same page. So far, I have had a great working relationship with him, hopefully, it will continue in the future as well,” Gambhir added.

(PTI inputs)