Gautam Gambhir insists India still transitioning in Tests, stays upbeat about WTC chances

TimesofIndia.com in Mullanpur: For the better part of a year, every conversation around India's Test team has begun with the same word: transition. In head coach Gautam Gambhir's pre-match press conference ahead of the Afghanistan Test, transition remained the buzzword.The retirements of legends and injuries to key bowlers made it an easy label to attach to a side still searching for stability in the format. As India prepare for the one-off Test against Afghanistan, head coach Gambhir maintains that the Shubman Gill-led side is still in transition, with this group having played only nine Tests together."We played nine Test matches, did brilliantly in England and then beat the West Indies. So when people talk about transition, that's where it really began. If, after nine Test matches, you still feel it's a long rope, I don't necessarily agree," Gambhir said on Thursday."We all saw how well this young team performed in England and then against the West Indies. Yes, the two-Test series loss in South Africa hurt, but that's part of any transition. Consistency can be an issue because these are young players. Most of them have played fewer than 30 Test matches, which is still not a lot of experience at this level."I don't look for excuses. I don't see the absence of a full-strength squad as a reason for where we are. We have enough talent in this group to turn things around, and I'm very hopeful that we can give ourselves the best possible chance of winning the World Test Championship," he further added.Since taking charge, Gambhir has repeatedly spoken about creating a culture where players are backed for longer periods rather than being judged after a handful of matches. His defence of Sudharsan exemplified that philosophy. However, Sudharsan's Test career has had a stop-start feel. He scored 87 against the West Indies in New Delhi but was dropped for the first Test against South Africa in Kolkata a month later before returning for the Guwahati Test, where his technique against spin came under scrutiny.The left-hander's modest start to Test cricket has led to questions about whether Devdutt Padikkal, who has been scoring bucket loads of runs in the domestic circuit and debuted before Sudharsan, deserves an opportunity. Gambhir's response was clear."Sai hasn't got a fair chance," he said, arguing that judging players after four or five Tests makes it impossible to build a successful side.That approach appears central to India's transition strategy. Rather than searching endlessly for immediate results, the management wants to identify players capable of contributing throughout the remainder of the World Test Championship cycle.India currently ranks sixth in the WTC standings. Barring this one-off Test against Afghanistan, which is outside the championship cycle, they have nine Tests remaining—two each against Sri Lanka and New Zealand this year before the marquee Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in 2027.Before that blockbuster series next year, India will need strong results in Sri Lanka and New Zealand to remain in contention for a WTC final spot. History suggests neither assignment will be straightforward but the coach remains upbeat about reaching the WTC final."We're always optimistic, till we have the opportunity to qualify for the WTC final, because we know the kind of quality we have and the kind of talent we have. I don't think there's any reason not to believe that we cannot win the World Test Championship and that is what not only me, but everyone sitting in the dressing room believes. Yes, we can have one odd bad series here and there, but we know there's a kind of talent and how much hunger we have in the dressing room," he said.That emphasis on treating every Test seriously is also reflected in how India are planning for the months ahead. One of the lessons from recent overseas assignments, according to Gambhir, is that the team needs to prepare better for red-ball cricket. With a tight schedule that includes T20Is and ODIs series before the Tests in New Zealand, the management is already considering separating some Test players from ODI commitments to allow them additional preparation time.For Gambhir, ideal preparation is important but mindset matters more. After nearly two and a half months of IPL, eight squad members have had little turnaround time for the fixture starting June 6."More important in Test matches is the mental skill," Gambhir said before adding: "If you're mentally ready for grinding it out, I think that is going to keep us in good shape."The talent, Gambhir insists, already exists. What the team is trying to build now are the habits, patience and to be able to absorb pressure in the crunch situation to succeed in Test cricket."Test cricket is not only about skill or technical ability. To become a successful Test cricketer, you need a lot of other qualities as well. How you absorb pressure, how well you read the game, and the sacrifices you're willing to make for the team are all equally important."That's something we want to keep emphasising to the younger players. Success in Test cricket isn't only about talent. It's about the sacrifices you make for the team, and those sacrifices are what can make this Test side a very successful one," said Gambhir.The one-off Test will offer a sneak peek into how the players are adapting to the challenge, and embracing the transition.