First-class cricket is the most important format for me: Gautam Gambhir

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir has stated that first-class cricket is the most important format for him, revealing his actual mindset as a coach, adding that every opinion in the dressing room matters a lot to him.

While speaking to Cheteshwar Pujara on the Sony Sports Network, the official broadcaster of the ongoing England vs India Test series, Gambhir revealed that this is the first time that the transition is happening across formats.

"Probably this is the first time that the transition is happening in all three departments. I think for me, first-class cricket is the most important format, back home,” Gautam Gambhir told Sony Sports Network.

"It is about fighting every day. And it is about representing the tri-colour every day. Gautam Gambhir is not important. Indian cricket is important. Everyone has the right to have an opinion about the culture of that dressing room. And every opinion for me will matter," he added.

Furthermore, Gambhir also shared a few words on the BCCI not allowing families to be a part of the overseas tours after India lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 by 1-3 in January 2025. He stated that while the family’s role is important, everyone is part of the tour for a purpose. 

"See, family's role is important, but you have got to understand one thing. You're here for a purpose. For me, I think every day is a switch-on moment,” he asserted.

While Gambhir had an exceptional white-ball experience after winning the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, he had poor returns in the longest format of the game, losing to New Zealand at home by 0-3 and 1-3 to Australia away from home. Notably, Team India managed to win only four of their 12 Tests, losing seven and ending one game in a draw.

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