IND vs ENG Tests: Combative Gambhir slams Shubman critics, says group fights for frequent man again dwelling

Gambhir desires his gamers to make their very own historical past slightly than observe anybody from the previous together with himself. And, after a memorable comeback within the Manchester Test, they’re transferring in that course.

“They want to fight for the common man back home. And the important thing is that the way a lot of people had written us off in this Test match, this is the foundation of this team,” Gambhir mentioned within the post-match press convention on Sunday (July 27, 2025).

“These are characters who are sitting in this dressing room, wanting to fight for the country and they will continue to do that,” mentioned the top coach.

A 188-run stand between captain Shubman Gill and Okay L Rahul saved India within the fourth Test in opposition to England earlier than Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja earned a spirited draw for the guests with an unbeaten 203-run alliance.

Asked whether or not he gave a pep speak to the gamers after day 4 and made a reference to his match-saving 137 in Napier again in 2009, Gambhir responded within the detrimental.

“Look, the first thing is that I don’t remember any of my knocks, that has become history. I think they should make their own history. Honestly, no one in this team will follow anyone or want to follow. They should make their own history,” he mentioned.

Gambhir additionally felt that criticism of Gill, if any, in his first task as India’s Test captain is with out advantage. Gill has scored 4 a whole bunch within the sequence up to now.

“There was never any doubt about Shubman Gill’s talent. If someone had doubts, they probably don’t understand cricket. Some players take time to settle in international cricket. In this dressing room, no one is surprised by what he’s done on this tour,” Gambhir mentioned.

“Even if he hadn’t performed the way he did, we would still have had complete faith in his talent. What matters is that he’s living up to his expectations and potential. More importantly, the so-called pressure of captaincy doesn’t seem to affect him when he bats; he plays as a batsman, not as a captain,” he added.

Managing a draw from the brink of defeat would give India a psychological edge over the hosts within the fifth and closing Test in London beginning August 31, felt Gambhir.

“…while you’re put beneath the stress, while you’re put beneath the pump and you find yourself including 5 classes, I feel that is an incredible character. And something that you just do in these situations, while you’re put beneath stress and also you come out of these stress moments, it’s all the time an incredible feeling.

“And it just ends up giving a lot of confidence in the dressing room as well. And I’m sure, I think going into Oval, I think we will be high on confidence, but we can’t take anything for granted,” he mentioned.

Under new captain Gill, the group goes by way of a transition however Gambhir does not see it that manner.

Considering the inexperience within the aspect, the squad has finished nicely particularly Gill who racked up his fourth hundred of the sequence on Sunday.

“Good you used that phrase transition however I do not see it like that as a result of it’s nonetheless an Indian group. This is the most effective 18 that’s going to signify. It is just expertise and inexperience.

“And that’s how we see this. But a very powerful factor is that these guys bought to study lots from what they did at the moment.

“Because being under pressure, batting five sessions is never easy on day five of the Test against an attack like England. And then coming out with a draw and only losing four wickets…,” he mentioned.

No reward sufficient for Rishabh

Pant added essential first innings runs for the group regardless of batting with a fractured foot after lacking a reverse sweep off Chris Woakes on day one. He managed to get a half-century, serving to India publish 358 on day two.

Pant was not required to bat within the second innings as Jadeja and Sundar steered India out of hassle.

“Rishabh already, it’s been declared that he’s out of the series. And one thing I want to say is that the character and the foundation of this team will be built on what Rishabh did for the team and for the country as well,” mentioned Gambhir.

“Any amount of praise is not enough for him, especially batting with a broken foot. Not many people have done that in the past. And he had put his hand up, and that is why I say any amount of praise…,” he mentioned.

Gambhir mentioned Pant’s knock wouldn’t be forgotten for generations to come back.

“I can sit right here and discuss this for hours and hours. I feel the generations to come back ahead will discuss this. And generations coming ahead ought to discuss it, that there’s somebody who has batted with a damaged foot. And it is unlucky due to the type of kind he was in.

“But again, he’s an important member of the Test side. And I hope he recovers quickly and comes back quickly and try and deliver a game for us,” mentioned the previous India batter.