By Qaiser Mohammad Ali, IANS
New Delhi : Delhi captain Gautam Gambhir, setting aside the disappointment of not being in Australia, wants to channelise all his energies to win the Ranji Trophy cricket tournament.
“If Delhi win, it would be a dream-come-true,” said Gambhir.
“There is only one thing in my mind and that is to win the Ranji Trophy. It’s now or never, that’s how I look at it,” Gambhir told IANS Friday.
Delhi meet Uttar Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy final from Jan 16 at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
“Every captain is different. They (Uttar Pradesh) have their strategy, I’ve mine, and Delhi’s actual captain Virender Sehwag had his way of thinking. So far our plans worked and I hope they do in the final as well,” said the prolific batsman, looking relaxed after a team practice session at the Ferozeshah Kotla.
Gambhir, who scored a crucial century in Delhi’s win over Baroda in the semi-final in Indore last week, has led Delhi from the front in the absence of Sehwag, who is now in Australia with the Indian team. Gambhir has amassed 600 in just four matches in the tournament.
Gambhir, who has opened the batting with Sehwag for Delhi and India, said: “To be honest, I am going to miss Sehwag because he is the best captain I have played under and played with. He is fantastic and we all miss him, no doubt,” said the 26-year-old left-hander.
Gambhir also pointed out that he does not need to tell his players the significance of winning the final as Delhi has not laid their hands on the Trophy since 1991-92, when Kirti Azad’s Delhi side defeated Tamil Nadu in the final at the Kotla.
“All the seniors – Amit Bhandari, Rahul Sanghvi etc – they all know that it’s going to be a dream come true and we all are really motivated,” he said.
On recalling the retired left-arm spinner Sanghvi, Gambhir said: “Obviously, you need experienced players in key matches. We have got an inexperienced spin attack. You need someone experienced at one end for big games.”
Even as some have wondered why the 33-year-old former Test spinner was recalled, Gambhir maintained, “I have never believed in age, I believe if someone can win you games he has to play. If Rahul can bowl well, it is going to be a great help for us.”