Kohli doesn't rule out Gambhir at Eden

Gautam Gambhir faced only a few deliveries towards the end of a two-hour practice session. But skipper Virat Kohli said that doesn't rule him out of the second Test in Eden Gardens.

Published : Sep 29, 2016 16:13 IST , Kolkata

Gautam Gambhir (left) and Virat Kohli share a laugh at the Eden Gardens ahead of the second Test between India and New Zealand.
Gautam Gambhir (left) and Virat Kohli share a laugh at the Eden Gardens ahead of the second Test between India and New Zealand.
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Gautam Gambhir (left) and Virat Kohli share a laugh at the Eden Gardens ahead of the second Test between India and New Zealand.

Going into the second Test against New Zealand with a 1-0 lead in the series, India captain Virat Kohli said that the hosts would not adopt a pre-determined approach in the match starting at the Eden Gardens on Friday. Kohli also touched upon several other issues, including injury concerns and the possibility of Gautam Gambhir playing tomorrow.

>Preview: India vs New Zealand, Second Test

On injury concerns

Jayant is not there as a cover… We have three quicks already and we felt we didn’t need anymore. We thought of adding another off-spinner because they have five left-handers in their line-up. This would help at some stage we plan to play three spinners. Maybe two off-spinners could play together.

On Ashwin

Ashwin is absolutely fine.

On Jadeja

I’m really happy that he’s contributing with the bat. We always felt he has both skills in abundance. It’s about working a bit harder making sure the team benefit from both his skills. Hope he can keep continuing. What I think is that he used to think too much about Test cricket being too difficult and him having to play differently. He has a different way of playing cricket which we feel he shouldn't change. Obviously he will gain experience. He’s feeling more confident about himself, about his contribution. He needs regular assurance of management to make him realise how good he can be with the bat. It’s just a habit of getting 60, 70, 80. He’s been very responsible as well.

On possibility of Gautam playing

We do segregation of the batsmen in the nets depending on who has had a hit at what stage. It depends on who has had batting practice the previous day or who hasn’t or preferably who is going to play… You won’t see him entering the nets, that doesn’t mean he won’t play. It can differ from player to player. Sometimes a player doesn’t want to bat in the nets. He just wants throwdowns and then walk away.

On New Zealand batsmen’s approach

Our focus will be to execute our skills as well we can. In the first game they had some good partnerships… We’re not pre-planning for any approach. We feel that we are skilled enough to tackle any plans they come with.

On regaining No.1 rank

I don't get motivated by records… My goal to play cricket a certain level and maintain it.

Own form

I don't think there's anything called form. It's about how you feel on that particular day. It's about how good you're mentally. It's about to be stable in our heads, when you get runs and when you don't. You've to accept that you can't score runs every time. Working hard is in our hands and we look to do that at the practice sessions.

I don't really think about these things like my form. Result cannot be in your hand all the time in cricket. You have only one chance in batting. It's a different thing if you get caught off a no-ball! Generally, cricket is a game of chances. But preparation is something that's in my hand and I look to do it 100 per cent at the practice.

On practising with rubber ball

We sometimes do tend on a flow. So it’s important to work on your skills that bring in stability to your game. It’s just about repeating those things. It’s about controlling the ball that’s bouncing and not coming at pace.”

On pitch

No comments on wicket. We have all bases covered as a team. It looks a normal wicket. Surface is pretty nice. It always has a grass cover and should be a good wicket to bat on.

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