Gautam Gambhir (Source – BCCI)
The third and final Test between India and New Zealand, which gets underway on Friday, November 1, at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai is far from being an inconsequential affair. The Kiwis might have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead but they need to win their remaining four matches in the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle to make it to the finals next year. Meanwhile, India has to win four out of their last six games to stay in contention. Therefore, the crucial WTC points, that are at stake, add a lot of significance to the Mumbai Test.
Interestingly, the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 retentions are going to be announced on the eve of the Test match. This has diverted the attention of many cricket enthusiasts as they are waiting anxiously to find out what happens to their favorite players ahead of another intriguing season of the IPL.
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However, India head coach Gautam Gambhir, who mentored Kolkata Knight Riders to the title in IPL 2024, asserted that his focus is solely on the third Test and the IPL retentions don’t bother him whatsoever.
“It doesn’t bother me one bit. I think it’s about Indian cricket tomorrow. It’s about the Test match that’s coming up tomorrow. IPL has nothing to do with me,” Gambhir was quoted as saying on Thursday by India Today.
We very well know that we represent 140 crore Indians: Gautam Gambhir
Gambhir said that the third Test is an opportunity for India to get back to winning ways before the high-profile Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. The former India cricketer mentioned that it is an honor for the players to represent the nation in the oldest format of the game.
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“We should try and win this Test match so that we can go to Australia with a win under our belt. It’s another great opportunity for people to do something special for the country. We very well know that we represent 140 crore Indians. It’s another opportunity because very few people get this opportunity and honor to represent the country in Test cricket,” Gambhir stated.