Kohli took Gambhir’s interview: Gautam said- was listening to Hanuman Chalisa in Napier Test; gave credit to Virat for making a strong team
Veteran batsman Virat Kohli has interviewed Team India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir. BCCI posted the video on Wednesday. In this 19 minute 19 second video, both of them talked about cricket journey, achievements and controversies.
Gambhir said that he was listening to Hanuman Chalisa during the two and a half day long innings of the Napier Test (2009). Kohli said that he was chanting Om Namah Shivaya during the 2014-15 Australia tour.
On the question of arguing with the opposition players, Gambhir said- you can give me a better answer. There were reports of rift between Gambhir and Kohli after the controversy in IPL-2023. On this, Kohli said that after the interview all the outside spice will end.
3 moments of the video
- All the masala chat over: Kohli started the interview by saying that we have come to end all the masala outside. Both of them started laughing at this. Actually, there have been many disputes between the two on the field and both are known for aggression.
- No question on elbow scandal: While being questioned on the India-Australia series, Kohli said – I will not question you about the elbow scandal, then started laughing. In 2008, during the Nagpur Test, Gambhir had elbowed Shane Watson. There was a controversy over this.
- You can give a better answer: Kohli asked Gambhir that when there is an argument with a player from the opposing team, do you get distracted or do you get more motivated to do better. To this Gambhir said- You can give a better answer. Then both of them started laughing.
Gambhir said- Living in the present is the most important, complete interview in 5 points
1. Kohli- We played together for a long time. During your career, did you ever think that you would become the coach of a team? Gambhir- The truth is that till 2 months ago, I had never thought of becoming the coach of Team India. If you ask me the reason behind this, I would say that it is an honour for you to represent the country for the second time. It is special to return to that dressing room where you have spent a lot of time or done something special or have some great memories.
Talking about the future, there are many things that you are looking forward to. Like Champions Trophy, 3 T20 World Cups and ODI World Cup. This is the reason why I said yes, I can contribute to it. Especially when you have a small family and you have to spend more than 10 months away from two daughters, it is difficult, unless your family supports you. It is always difficult to take such decisions.
2. Kohli- My first target was to play Ranji for Delhi. What was your mind set when you were in the Test team? Gambhir- I still feel those things. I remember that I made my ODI debut before the Test and the most special moment for me was receiving the Test cap from Polly Umrigar. Even today that is the biggest memory of my career.
When we were growing up, there was no T20 format and no IPL, so we only had first class cricket to get selected in the national team. Everyone wanted to play ODI cricket. We always had it in our mind that we will be judged on the basis of our performance in red ball cricket.
This is the biggest reason why you are considered the best player of Test cricket, because the way you have saved Test cricket despite the advent of T-20 will inspire the youth.
3. Kohli- I like the challenge in Tests the most. This is how I was able to bring a new culture in a team going through transition. What is your point of view today, to create such a culture? Gambhir- You created a very strong bowling unit. Unless you have a strong bowling lineup, you will not win. Because it is very easy to have 6-7 strong batsmen who can score runs, but the identity you have created. In that too your attitude with the pacers, winning abroad. This is the mentality that we want. This is that culture.
4. Kohli- I would like to ask you about that innings in which you scored a double century against Australia on home ground. What was your mindset in that innings? Gautam- Great question, this is also important. I remember that you scored a lot of runs in that series. I also remember that you used to tell me to say ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ before every ball. Then you reached that zone, which for me was exactly like the way I played in Napier.
Now when I think if I can bat for two and a half days, I feel that I can never do that. In those two and a half days, I recited Hanuman Chalisa. The work that Om Namah Shivaya used to do for you, Hanuman Chalisa did it for me.
5. Kohli- The biggest factor in that zone is winning and motivation. I know what to do when in a run chase. Do you feel the same? Gautam- A young man came to me and asked how do you plan a run chase. There is only one way to chase runs, that is not to look at any individual score. You have to see what you have to achieve. Where do you want to reach. What is the target where you want to reach.
People ask me about that shot I played in the 2011 World Cup final, why did you play that shot. At that time, the only thing on my mind was the target, not that I was a few runs away from a century or how I would celebrate it. And my reaction was not because I missed becoming the first Indian to score a century in a World Cup final. That reaction was because I gave the opponent a chance to come back.
These are the small things that the new generation will think about. According to me, it is most important to stay in the present because you can control a moment in cricket. I think it also depends on mental toughness.
