Gautam Gambhir, basking in the delightful perks of his role as Team India’s head coach, recently took to Instagram to share a lighthearted message: “You can have snacks anytime when you are not playing! #GoingToTheDressingRoom.” His jovial demeanor underscored the excitement buzzing in the air as India gears up for an electrifying three-match T20I series against Bangladesh, commencing October 6 in Gwalior.
His coaching journey has kicked off with remarkable flair, managing the T20Is and Test formats with aplomb. Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, the team recently executed an impressive 2-0 clean sweep over Bangladesh. Notably, India achieved an extraordinary feat in a rain-affected Test match, becoming the first Indian team to triumph in a match where two full days were washed out. Talk about a debut that couldn’t be scripted better! Apart from ODIs, India has also celebrated a flawless 3-0 clean sweep against Sri Lanka in T20Is back in July.
Now, let’s delve into the heart of the matter: Gambhir’s spirited squad against Bangladesh. The Test match teetered precariously on the brink of a damp draw as inclement weather thwarted almost three days of play. Battling the clock, India found themselves pressed for a win after Bangladesh resumed their innings on Day 4, starting at a fragile 107 for 3 and eventually folding for 233—a narrow window for India to seize victory.
And seize it they did! With an audacious display of firepower, India blitzed through the day with a staggering 285 runs in a mere 34.4 overs—a lightning-fast pace of 8.22 runs per over, setting a record for the swiftest team innings (minimum 100 runs) in Test history. Led by the dynamic Rohit Sharma, the batters unleashed an unreal onslaught, shattering records for the fastest 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 in Test cricket. They declared with a comfortable 52-run lead and went on to dismiss Bangladesh for a second time on Day 5.
Gambhir and Sharma couldn’t contain their jubilation when Rishabh Pant landed the decisive blow that sealed the victory, wrapping things up with a session to spare. India needed a mere six sessions to dismantle a bewildered Bangladesh team, which struggled to keep pace with the blistering Indian batsmen. This triumphant kickoff to India’s home Test season has ignited a whirlwind of hopes and dreams among fans, setting aspirations soaring.
