It’s a special knock: Gambhir
First Published : 12 Feb 2012, 18:20
Last Modified : 12 Feb 2012, 18:20
Adelaide, Feb 12: Man-of-the-Match of India’s first win over Australia in the ongoing ODI series, Gautam Gambhir was pleased with the team effort displayed by his side. Although he missed out on a century, the opener was happy to have contributed to the win.
Excerpts from Gambhir’s post-match interview:
On winning against Australia
Winning your first [ODI] game on the tour against Australia is always very special; when you get runs against a quality side in their own backyard it always feels very special. But the most important thing is contributing to the team’s win; it is far more important and satisfying. It was an important game for us and we hadn’t won [an ODI] against Australia—it was important to win this.
On missing out on a century once again like he did in the CWC 2011 final
You just can’t keep thinking about hundreds; [you need to keep] contributing runs [instead]. Somewhere down the line it will come my way but if I keep thinking about scoring a hundred which is a long way away, [it will make me] desperate. Once you get desperate for things, they just [stay away] from you. At the moment, [scoring] 90 is better than not scoring any runs. […] Scoring 92 and winning the game is far more special. Obviously, scoring a hundred would have been the icing on the cake, but there are certain things that will come when they have to.
On winning without Sachin Tendulkar in the team and the performance of the youngsters
Cricket is a team game. One individual doesn’t make a lot of difference; it’s about the team and we have a very strong belief in the dressing room that whoever goes down to the park in the eleven will end up winning the game. […] Today we have shown that we can do it as a team and whichever eleven goes out on the park, they have the belief that they can win the game against any opposition. It is very important for the development of the team and good for the squad as well.
On the importance of beating Australia
Every game is important. Beating Australia in Australia, beating Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka is great. Sri Lanka are great as well; they were the runners-up in the World Cup. Beating Australia is fine but I won’t say it is very sweet. For me any victory for your country is very special; I don’t rate winning against Australia as more special than winning against Sri Lanka. […]
On whether he enjoyed his knock
Yes, [scoring runs] against Australia in Australia and then ending up on the winning side is very special. Contributing to the team’s success is always very special.
On MS Dhoni’s calmness under pressure
[Dhoni] is a good finisher; I think he showed it again today. We always knew that if he stayed till the end, we would finish it off. He stays calm which is very important in such situations.
On Yuvraj Singh
I want Yuvraj [Singh] to get well soon and return to the place where he belongs; we miss him thoroughly. Hopefully he gets well soon and comes back in the team which is very important.
