‘I will not be happy if I score 30 hundreds and never help India win a series overseas’

In this Idea Exchange, moderated by Assistant Editor G S Vivek, India's opening batsman and KKR captain Gautam Gambhir speaks about his kind of captaincy, retirement of senior players and what matters most to him as a cricketer

G S Vivek: Something we've noticed about your style of captaincy is that you show a lot of patience with players who are not in form. You had been in and out of the Indian team during the initial part of your career so it seems as if you try to ensure that those who play under you don't face the same uncertainties of being picked and dropped.

To do well in any profession, you learn from your own experiences. In those years (2003-2007) I was very insecure and I know how it feels to be insecure. So, wherever I've played, I have tried to give that security and that culture where players can express themselves because sometimes insecurity can prevent you from giving your best. If you make players feel secure, you are giving them the platform to show their potential anywhere. I've consciously made an attempt to make everyone feel secure, not only those who are in the playing XI but even those who are not. I go to them and talk to them about the reasons why they haven't been picked. Even if you have to drop someone, there's nothing wrong in going to the individual and apologising to him. Before the IPL final, we had to make a forced change. Brendon (McCullum) had to sit it out because Balaji got injured and we had to pick an experienced fast bowler since it was a big game. I personally apologised to him in front of the whole team because he was doing a great job. It just gives a good vibe to the whole team. I could have just said, 'Oh, it was a forced change, I can't do much about it', but if you apologise and tell them that they are still a core member of the team, it makes a difference.

... contd.

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