Fri Nov 01 08:18:52 UTC 2024: ## India Coach Gambhir Unfazed by IPL Retention List Ahead of Crucial Test
**Mumbai, India** – With the Indian Premier League (IPL) retention list set to be released on the eve of the third Test against New Zealand, India coach Gautam Gambhir has dismissed any potential distractions. Despite the buzz surrounding the IPL, Gambhir maintains his focus is solely on winning the upcoming Test and reviving India’s hopes for the World Test Championship final.
“It doesn’t bother me one bit,” Gambhir asserted on Thursday. “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.”
India is aiming to win the third Test before heading off to a challenging tour of Australia. “We should try and win this Test match so that we can go to Australia with a win under our belt,” Gambhir stated. “It’s another great opportunity for people to do something special for the country.”
In an effort to give India’s batters a long stint in the nets, Gambhir brought in over 20 net bowlers for training. “The more the merrier,” he said. “Probably to just make the guys bat longer, and they were quality (bowlers) as well.”
Despite their recent struggles with the bat, Gambhir expressed confidence in India’s ability to adapt to different situations. “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,” he explained. “It’s about adaptability, looking at the situation, and playing according to the situation.”
The focus for India remains on winning the third Test and ensuring a positive start to their upcoming tour of Australia. The IPL retention list, while a topic of interest, will not distract from the team’s immediate goals.
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