E-Paper
Teams matter more than captains: Gauti
The exhausted face of the Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Gautam Gambhir was understandable, since he landed in Mumbai on Friday morning after the opening game against the Delhi Daredevils had finished past midnight at the Eden Gardens. Anand Sachar reports.
The exhausted face of the Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Gautam Gambhir was understandable, since he landed in Mumbai on Friday morning after the opening game against the Delhi Daredevils had finished past midnight at the Eden Gardens.
Talking to HT on the sidelines of an inter-college cricket tournament, Gambhir was snappy when asked about Virat Kohli's elevation as India vice-captain.
"I have nothing to say. It was the selectors' decision."
But doesn't he enjoy being the leader of the pack? "I love it, I love the responsibility, the challenge, that's what I play for, and that's what I've always done."
Re-launch
Does he feel his stint with KKR will revive his hopes of leading India?
"I don't think about becoming the India captain. For me, it's about scoring lot of runs for India. Leading India is always a great honour, but I would hate to get picked as captain who can't contribute in the middle.
If ever I am selected as the captain of India, it will be a great honour."
The 30-year old emphasised the importance of the team over individuals.
"I'm a very strong believer in the eleven men on the field performing as a unit. For me, individuals don't matter, they never will. Even in team meetings I do not talk about individuals, it is the team that has to win you games."
"Any captain is as good as his team. To be honest there can't be any good captain. There was never a great captain. The captain cannot win you matches on his own; the team has to do so."
After tough international series, Gambhir is looking forward to the break following the IPL.
And he is hopeful younger players will take charge.
