India have had their fair shares of challenges in the  ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. With big names not racking up the expected numbers, the visitors will have to fix a few leaks before they can get the wheels in motion ahead of the Sydney Test.

Addressing the pre-match presser, India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, pointed out that the seniors are well aware of the allocated roles and will be doing their best to get in the groove. He also focused on the collective brilliance of the team and played down any undercurrents of friction between the players and the coaches in the dressing room.

Gambhir said, “First of all, all the individuals know which area they have to work in. And it's not like I'm talking about individuals here. Because ultimately, you win as a team and lose as a team. And when you're playing for your country, everyone tries to contribute their maximum. So, that's important.”

He further added, “And it's not like the debate between a player and a coach should be known to everybody. It should just be between them. You [the outsiders] just see the results. And, fortunately or unfortunately, this sport is known only for the results. But the conversations between the individuals and the dressing room, they should stay there."

Emphasizing the importance of the team game, Gambhir added, “It's the team-first ideology that matters. It's a team sport and you've got to play what the team needs you to do. That's as simple as it can get. People can play the natural game. But still, in a team sport, individuals only contribute. It's the team [that is important]. If you need to play in a certain way, I think you've got to do it.”

Gambhir further stated, “I don't want to talk about individuals. I think everyone knows where they are. And as I just mentioned, in a team sport, it's only the team. You have to expect players to do what the team needs you to do. Whether they go to bad sessions, whether they go to be attacking, because that is all that matters in a team sport for me."

He concluded with a promise for the future, adding, “I think Indian cricket will always be in safe hands till the time you've got honest people sitting in that room," he said. "And honesty is the most important thing for any transition. And it is not about phasing out senior players or getting the youngsters in. Ultimately, the only thing that can keep you in that dressing room is the performance. And it starts from all of us. Not only from the players, from the coaches as well."