My job is to win trophies, not likes and views: Gautam Gambhir

India head coach, Gautam Gambhir has made it clear that he has little interest in winning the popularity contest surrounding Indian cricket, insisting his job is not to chase rankings, respond to criticism or worry about how the team's performances are perceived. Instead there is only one measure that ultimately matters.

"My job is to win trophies. That's all I believe in. That is the difference between me and everyone. I don't care about views or likes," Gambhir said ahead of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

India are in the middle of a significant Test transition, but Gambhir has no interest in allowing rankings or outside criticism to dictate how the team develops. With Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin now gone, a new core is being asked to take over.

Shubman Gill has assumed the captaincy, Devdutt Padikkal is beginning to establish himself at No.3 and Manav Suthar has emerged as a promising spin option. Gambhir's view is that this group needs time, not knee-jerk reactions to every result.

"Rankings do not matter. We are not struggling. Since the England tour, we have played reasonable Test cricket. I think we are going through a transition," he said.

India have already taken a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series against Sri Lanka after a 165-run victory in Galle, giving Gambhir another opportunity to point towards signs of progress within a team that is still being rebuilt.

INDIA'S TEST RECORD UNDER GAMBHIR

• vs BAN (Home): 2 wins, 0 draws, 0 defeats
• vs NZ (Home): 0 wins, 0 draws, 3 defeats
• vs AUS (Away): 1 win, 1 draw, 3 defeats
• vs ENG (Away): 2 wins, 1 draw, 2 defeats
• vs WI (Home): 2 wins, 0 draws, 0 defeats
• vs SA (Home): 0 wins, 0 draws, 2 defeats
• vs AFG (Home): 1 win, 0 draws, 0 defeats
• vs SL (Away): 1 win, 0 draws, 0 defeats

NOT CHASING THE NOISE

Gambhir's approach has been to judge the team over a longer period rather than react to every setback or criticism.

The departures of three senior players have naturally created uncertainty, but they have also opened the door for a new generation.

Shubman Gill has taken over as captain and is settling into the No.4 position, while Devdutt Padikkal has shown encouraging signs at No.3. Manav Suthar has perhaps made the biggest impression in Sri Lanka, claiming 10 wickets in Galle in only his second Test.

Gambhir believes those players need time to establish themselves rather than being judged on one or two performances.

"I am sure that people sitting in the press box and in the commentary box know that we are going through a transition. There will be ups and downs. But we know that wherever we are getting it right."

That thinking could also influence India's selection in Colombo, particularly with Kuldeep Yadav and Saransh Jain competing for a place in the bowling attack.

"We will try to field the best bowling attack that can get us 20 wickets. Kuldeep is a good bowler and sometimes it's up to the captain as well," Gambhir said.

"When you play five proper bowlers, someone will eventually get under-bowled. But it's not about someone not delivering and getting under-bowled. It's the captain or the management's decision as to who will be most effective in that particular condition," he said.

The priority, therefore, remains performance rather than perception. India need to pick the combination they believe can win the Test, even if that decision creates debate outside the dressing room.

THREE TEST SERIES AN IDEAL FORMAT

Gambhir also used the pre-match press conference to explain why he believes three-Test series are the ideal format, despite India's current series against Sri Lanka consisting of only two matches.

India lead 1-0, meaning the Colombo Test will decide the series. Gambhir believes a three-match contest provides greater scope for a team to recover after losing the opening Test.

"Three-Test series is ideal. Short turnaround is fine, we know how to manage our bodies and recover. We give optional practices and rest bowlers. I feel three Test series is ideal," he said.

He added, "Ideally I would want a 3 match Test series. Sometimes, if you lose the first Test, the other team cannot make a comeback and the maximum they can try for a draw..."

Gambhir was also satisfied with the nature of the Galle pitch and hopes Colombo offers another proper Test.

"Galle was a good Test cricket pitch and we enjoyed playing there and hopefully the pitch remains same here. It was not a perfect Test match but that's how Test matches are played," he said.

For Gambhir, the transition India are undergoing will inevitably produce uneven results. But his focus remains firmly on building a team capable of winning when it matters, rather than by reactionary decisions.

The Colombo Test will yet again offer another opportunity for India's new core to show that the process is moving in the right direction.