Gambhir spells out the ‘team first’ ideology for Indian Cricket Team; wants India to be seen as “absolutely selfless”

The coach was asked about how he kept the group composed in the aftermath of the New Zealand series debacle. “The only conversation I’ve had with, be it the seniors, be it the experienced players or the youngsters is to keep Indian cricket ahead of every other thing. To keep the team ahead of their personal milestones,” the 43-year-old said. “And that is how team sport is meant to be played. And I’m sure that is something that will continue to happen in the future as well. We will keep having the same conversation,” he added.

He was keen on driving in the point as a team philosophy. “It’s about the team first ideology, philosophy as compared to any other thing. And the smallest of things will make a huge difference. When you start talking about, thinking about the team. Be it a spell where you have to be boring at times. Be it that unbelievable catch or playing the session. So all these things,” he elaborated.

It’s a message he hopes will reverberate in the dressing room. “When you start thinking about the team ahead of everything else, I think all other things can take a back seat. And that is something which we will keep talking to the youngsters and everyone in the dressing room,” Gambhir said.

It was also a matter of subtly changing perceptions. “Because that is how we want to be seen as. Absolutely selfless. And more importantly, absolutely positive,” he said.