Mumbai, Aug 22: India off-spinner R Ashwin talked up his equation with the newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir ahead of what promises to be a busy Test season for India. Ashwin said he has a lot of respect for the former opener, who has donned multiple roles in Indian cricket over the years.Gautam Gambhir replaced Rahul Dravid as the head coach of the senior national men’s cricket team after the T20 World Cup. Gambhir oversaw India’s T20I series victory and a rare defeat in an ODI series in Sri Lanka in his first assignment as the coach. Stern tests await Gambhir as India play as many as 10 Tests in the remainder of the World Test Championship cycle.
“Gautam is someone I still share a very, very good relationship with because he is a very straightforward and honest guy. I think Gautam is also one of those guys that we should always be backing. He’s a hero of Indian cricket,” Ashwin said in an interaction.
Ashwin will be integral to India’s chances in the Test season as the off-spinner will be licking his lips to have a crack at the visiting batters. Bangladesh visits India for a two-Test series and 3 T20Is in September-October, after which India hosts New Zealand in a 3-Test series, starting October 16.
India will then tour Australia for asn unprecedented 5-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy from November to January. Ashwin will be keen on making a mark in the home Tests and push for a place in the XI Down Under.
The off-spinner, who shares a wonderful rapport with Gambhir, has played alongside the former opener in 66 matches, including 16 Tests. Gambhir has often spoken highly of Ashwin’s contributions to Indian cricket.
Having led Dindigul Dragons to glory in the Tamil Nadu Premier League, Ashwin spoke about the importance of youngsters finding motivation to represent the senior national team.
“I am very glad that a lot of young kids are coming now and making a good amount of money. It is changing their livelihood, changing the status of their families. It’s unbelievable for India, for the Indian cricketing ecosystem,” he said.
“But I still feel there must be some incentive and some motivation for all these kids to want to play for India, and that’s absolutely in the hands of the stakeholders and the decision-makers.”