Gautam Gambhir has been relentless in terms of backing his team vociferously. In the pre-match presser ahead of India’s second Test against New Zealand, Gambhir underlined that the first Test could have actually been a closer affair. He gave a very bold take on India’s second innings heroics.

Talking about the overall approach in the presser, Gautam Gambhir said, “If we enjoy days like we did in Kanpur, then we have to accept days that we face in Bengaluru. But the positive side was that we were still looking to win the Test match after being bowled out on 46. That is the most important thing. I have said it before, our first option is win and the second is draw.”

He further added, “In the second innings, we were looking to set up the match. I feel we were 100 runs shy of setting up the match. I don’t think there are many teams who think like this. We want to play such cricket in future.”

Gauti also shed some light on the inclusion of Washington Sundar, stating, “We just felt that probably they [New Zealand] have four or five left-handers in the playing XI. That if we want to have another bowler who can take the ball away from the left-handers, it is always going to be useful for us. But we haven't still decided what is going to be the playing XI.”

He concluded, “We believe that probably there are two [left-hand] opening batters and Rachin [Ravindra] in the middle order. So, we feel that if Washy can give us more control in the middle, it is always going to be good for us.”