New Delhi: With age not on his side, the chances of a national comeback look relatively bleak for Gautam Gambhir despite his golden run in domestic cricket, but the feisty India opener says he won’t give up just yet. For Gambhir, regarded one of the most complete batsmen in Indian cricket, what matters is “motivation” and the day he loses it, he won’t shy away from calling it quits. Gambhir continues to turn up for Delhi, which made it to the final of the premier Ranji Trophy this season after 10 years. Gambhir might be out of national reckoning, but he has been in ominous form this season and that is precisely one of the reasons behind Delhi’s success. “Keep scoring runs, that is what you can control and you can do. You can’t control things which are not in your hands. The only thing you can control is to get a bat in your hand, go out there, perform and score as many runs as possible,” Gambhir said. “That is what you are meant to do and that is what I am trying to do. This year is no difference from what I used to do last year. The motivation is exactly the same. The day I don’t feel the same I will not hang around.”
At 36, it is unlikely that Gambhir would get a look in for the national team again, especially in a fitness freak Virat Kohli’s team, but that hardly bothers the feisty left hander, who was once India’s regular in all three formats of the game. “I don’t speak to the selectors and I don’t need to speak to the selectors. Ultimately, my job is to score runs and that is what I only focus on,” Gambhir said.
Way back in January 2008 it was under then skipper Gambhir, Delhi made the final of the Ranji Trophy last time. That season Gambhir played a key role with the bat and this year too the left-hander was one of the reasons behind Delhi’s rise. In this Ranji season, Gambhir has scored 632 runs which includes three centuries and two fifties. He is eight in the top-scorers chart. “We reached the finals so obviously the achievement is great. Hopefully we can go one step ahead and win it after 10 years which is going to be great,” Gambhir said.
SA tour will be tough for India, says Gambhir
Gambhir feels being the world’s No.1 Test side, India should win in “every condition” as Virat Kohli and his men embark on a tough Test and limited-overs series in South Africa starting next month. “It’s going to be a tough tour because South Africa is a very good side especially in their own backyard. They have got quality bowling, they have got quality batting. India really has to play well to beat them,” Gambhir said.
“I hope they have got the confidence from what they have done in the last two years. Even if they have played the bulk of their cricket at home, they should go to South Africa with a lot of confidence, a lot of belief as the no.1 Test side and I hope they can deliver there. “Ultimately, the no.1 side should be able to win in every condition. I hope India continues the same form what they have shown at home,” he added.
