IPL has nothing to do with me: India coach Gautam Gambhir on player retentions

India coach Gautam Gambhir has downplayed concerns that the upcoming IPL retention list, to be released just before the third Test against New Zealand, could distract him or his team. Gambhir emphasized his focus remained solely on the Test match.

In Short

• Coach Gautam Gambhir says IPL retention list does not concern him
• India must win Wankhede Test to stay alive in the WTC final contention
• Gambhir said they are aiming to win before embarking on Australia tour

India coach Gautam Gambhir does not see the Indian Premier League (IPL) retention list, which is set to be released on the eve of the third Test against New Zealand, as a distraction for him or his team. While India will be playing for pride and reviving its hopes for the World Test Championship final, many in the cricketing world are abuzz with speculation about which players will be kept or released by their franchises.

"It doesn't bother me one bit," Gambhir stated emphatically on Thursday. The former Kolkata Knight Riders mentor emphasized that his primary concern is the upcoming Test match. "I think it's about Indian cricket tomorrow. It's about the Test match that's coming up tomorrow. IPL has nothing to do with me," he added.

Gambhir said they are aiming to win before embarking on a challenging Australia tour.

"We should try and win this Test match so that we can go to Australia with a win under our belt. It's another great opportunity for people to do something special for the country. We very well know that we represent 140 crore Indians.

"It's another opportunity because very few people get this opportunity and honour to represent the country in Test cricket."

With more than 20 net bowers helping the Indians train over two days here at the Wankhede Stadium, Gambhir said they were called in to ensure the batters get long stints in the nets.

"I didn't count how many bowlers were there. But the more the merrier. Probably to just make the guys bat longer and they were quality (bowlers) as well so if they can bat longer in the nets, it's better preparation.

"We know that when we go to places like Australia, we don't get those kind of quality bowlers. We always have the luxury when we're playing at home that we get a lot of bowlers so that guys can bat long and that's about it. There was nothing beyond that."

Despite their batters cutting a sorry figure in the first two Tests, Gambhir backed India to adapt to situations accordingly.

"Test cricket needs to be played like Test cricket. We should be a side that can get 400 on a day if we need to get the result and we should be able to bat two days as well. That is what growth is and that is what Test cricket is all about.

"Test cricket can't just be played in one single manner because it's about adaptability. It's about looking at the situation and play according to the situation."