Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir completely rejected the idea that the team has been struggling in Test cricket, and he also said that the team is currently going through a transition phase. Ahead of the second Test match against Sri Lanka, Gambhir shared that a new core has been developing around captain Shubman Gill and claimed that the focus is currently on winning trophies, not on worrying about rankings or criticism as well.

“Criticism? My job is to win trophies. That’s all I believe in and care for. That is the difference between me and everyone. I don’t care about views or likes,” Gambhir said. “Rankings do not matter. We are not struggling. Since the England tour, we have played reasonable Test cricket. My job is to win trophies. That’s what all I care for and believe in.”

However, the Test team has gone through a lot of changes since Gautam Gambhir took charge. Virat Kohli, R Ashwin and Rohit Sharma all retired from the format, and they experienced mixed results – including series losses against New Zealand, South Africa and Australia as well.

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“There will be ups and downs in cricket, and we need to back our players and give them longer rope, and it’s not based on one or two matches. We will try to field the best bowling attack that can get us 20 wickets. Kuldeep is a good bowler and sometimes it’s up to the captain as well,” he said.

However, Gautam Gambhir also backed a three-match Test series instead of two, as in that case, a team gets a better chance of fighting back even if they lose the first match as well.

“Three-Test series is ideal. Short turnaround is fine, we know how to manage our bodies and recover. We give optional practices and rest bowlers. I feel a three Test series is ideal,” he said. “Ideally I would want a 3 match Test series. Sometimes, if you lose the first Test, the other team cannot make a comeback and the maximum they can try for a draw,” Gautam Gambhir concluded.