India head coach Gautam Gambhir has acknowledged the mounting physical and mental demands on the team, particularly on captain Shubman Gill, as the squad prepares for a packed international calendar. Speaking ahead of the ODI series against Australia, starting on October 19, Gambhir suggested that a mental conditioning coach could be beneficial in managing player workload and maintaining focus.

“First of all, I need one,” Gautam Gambhir said when asked if Gill should get a mental conditioning coach, adding humorously, “This is my birthday gift. The coach is as good as the team.” With a relentless schedule—from the Asia Cup straight into the West Indies series and now an ODI assignment in Australia—Gill has had little time to rest, making the support of specialised coaching essential.

Gambhir also touched upon India’s ongoing challenge with spin-friendly tracks at home. While the batting line-up is largely young, players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill have gained enough experience to tackle rank turners.

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Gautam Gambhir recalled how Virat Kohli struggled on such tracks early in his career, whereas spinners like Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja used these conditions to become match-winners.

🚨 Gautam Gambhir: “I need a mental conditioning coach”

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In the current setup, India’s finger spinners, Jadeja and Washington Sundar, have been less threatening on flatter pitches, making wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav a more potent option in challenging conditions.

Gautam Gambhir emphasised that the selection and management of bowlers will be crucial in the upcoming home Tests, notably against South Africa, as these matches will serve as a benchmark for India’s Test credentials.

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With no red-ball cricket scheduled for the next eight months before the Sri Lanka tour, Gambhir’s focus remains on maximising the team’s potential across conditions while managing player workload. The blend of experienced campaigners and young talent, coupled with strategic coaching support, is central to India’s approach to navigating a gruelling international calendar and maintaining its stronghold at home.