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Ashok Kumar

Gautam Gambhir decries playing only in one way; What exactly constitutes Gam-ball?

Gautam Gambhir in recent interview talked about Growth mindset, High-risk high-reward cricket and focus on one series at a time.


Gautam Gambhir will be tested in Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 _ Walking Wicket (Source_ ©twitter_X)
Gautam Gambhir to instil growth mindset in India team (Source: ©Twitter/X)

Gam-ball is the new flavour of the season. After India scored more than 8 runs per over in the only innings they played in the Kanpur Test against Bangladesh, their batting style, ‘Gam-ball’, is making all the noises. Will India continue to play this style of aggressive batting, or will India play according to the situations, conditions, or pitches? Ahead of the first Test at Bengaluru against New Zealand, India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, has given a brief of what exactly Gam-ball is.


Winning mentality 

Gambhir said winning from any situation is what his team is looking to do. He said, “We want to be a team that can make 400 runs in a day and bat for two days to draw. The first motive is to win the match.” He asserted that when a team plays like this, it is “called growth and adaptability.” The Kanpur Test would have meandered to a tame draw, but the team under coach Gambhir forced a result by batting briskly, scoring 8 runs per over in the innings. And then the bowlers did the job. However, it would not have been possible if the batters had not adopted a brisk-scoring strategy, thus growing as batters.



High-risk, high-reward

The Kanpur Test has set a template for the Gam-ball. Gambhir said he will back his team to play a high-risk, high-reward style of cricket. He said, “If they can get 400-500 runs in a day, why not? We will play it that way.” This strategy worked wonders in the Kanpur Test, entertaining the spectators who were thrilled to see the T20 style of Test cricket. 


However, Gambhir cautioned that this strategy also means a high risk of failure. But he said he will “back his players to play high-risk cricket even if they are bundled out for 100." He said this is the way they want to “keep the game going forward.”


Focusing on present

Gambhir also mentioned that he and his team are focused on playing one game at a time and not looking beyond this New Zealand series. The five-match Test series against Australia Down Under starts right after the New Zealand series. “Come October 16, 9.30 am; we need to be switched on from ball one.” He also mentioned there is no complacency creeping into the India squad after the success against Bangladesh. He said, “New Zealand are a very good team with high-quality players. We respect them, but we don’t fear anyone. The players need to be switched on whether we are batting or bowling first.” 


Overall, the Gambhir era is writing its own version of gam-ball where the team look to win by playing hard and aggressive cricket but are also prepared for failures when. It also calls for being in the present, taking one game at a time, and winning it by playing the Gam-ball. It also talks about the growth of players and entertaining the crowd, who part with their hard-earned money to watch a good game of cricket.


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