'High-quality players can hurt India': Gautam Gambhir acknowledges the danger of New Zealand

India National Cricket Team head coach Gautam Gambhir is aware of the fact that the 'high-quality' players of the New Zealand National Cricket Team can inflict heavy damage on his team in the upcoming Test series.

Gautam Gambhir said that he respects the Kiwis because they are a very professional unit and can pose a threat to the India National Cricket Team in the upcoming series.

India and New Zealand to lock horns in three-match Test series

Rohit Sharma-led India and Tom Latham-led New Zealand will take on each other in a three-match Test series. The first Test is scheduled to be played from October 16 in Bengaluru while the second Test will be played from October 24 in Pune. Also, Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai will be hosting the third Test from November 1.

The Test series will be part of the ongoing cycle of the ICC World Test Championship and a whitewash will almost seal India a spot in the final of the competition for the third consecutive time.

It will be a big challenge for the Kiwis, who were recently thrashed in the Test series against Sri Lanka, because they are not in good form and their past records haven't been good in India. They have not won a Test match in India since 1988.

So, we respect them, but we don’t fear anyone - Gautam Gambhir

Despite New Zealand going through a tough time, Gautam Gambhir has denied taking them lightly. The India coach said that they respect the BlackCaps but don't fear them.

“See, New Zealand is a completely different challenge. We know that they’re a very, very professional unit, have got some really high-quality players who can hurt us, and can do the job for them as well,” Gautam Gambir said.

“So, we respect them, but we don’t fear anyone. I’ve said it many times that we will always respect every opposition, be selfless, humble, try and play the game as hard as possible on the cricket field. Once the game is over, we want to try and stay as humble as possible.

“But we need to be switched on from ball one, and that is the responsibility of the support staff to keep the players switched on come – whether we are batting or bowling first, and try and be as professional as we can, try keep moving the game forward and get the results in our favour.”

"Whether it is New Zealand or Australia, we will try to win every match for our country,” he added.

Right now, only New Zealand is on our mind - Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir further stated that they are not thinking too far ahead and the ICC World Test Championship Final as well as the Border–Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) are not in their minds.

The India head coach made it clear that their entire focus is on the matches against the New Zealand National Cricket Team.

“The first thing is that the World Test Championship is in June (2025). The second thing is that the Test match in Australia is on 22nd November. Right now, only New Zealand is on our mind.

“When you play international cricket, you don’t think about how to prepare for the five Test matches in Australia, as right now, the most important thing is how to be ready on 16th November at 9.30 am. That is more important because you don’t see ahead that far,” he noted.