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"Big contributions only make headlines": Gambhir inspires WI players with his pep talk

Jatin

Gautam Gambhir delivers pep talk in Windies dressing roo [Source: @BCCI.tv]Gautam Gambhir delivers pep talk in Windies dressing roo [Source: @BCCI.tv]

There are moments in cricket that go beyond runs, wickets and scoreboards that touch the soul of the game. One such moment unfolded in the West Indies dressing room after India wrapped up the Test series 2-0 in Delhi.

Sammy’s classy gesture

Following India’s victory, West Indies Head Coach Darren Sammy invited India’s Head Coach Gautam Gambhir to speak to his players and what followed was pure gold.

The video, shared by the BCCI on X, showed Gambhir delivering one of the most heartfelt and grounded speeches you will ever hear in a dressing room.

After the final Test, which India won by seven wickets, Darren Sammy gathered his boys and introduced Gambhir. The former West Indies captain explained why he wanted the Indian coach to address his team.

“I just wanted him to come and share some of his experiences that has been able to do that brings that type of success. Sometimes you just need to hear another voice. Gautam, I appreciate you for doing this,” said Sammy.

It was a rare sight. A rival coach stepping into the opposition’s dressing room to inspire the very team he had just defeated.

Gambhir’s message hits home

Gautam Gambhir began his address with gratitude and admiration for the West Indian players. “Guys, thank you for having me over. Thank you for touring us. It’s always a privilege to play West Indies whether it’s home or away,” he began.

In his trademark calm yet intense tone, Gambhir spoke about what makes the West Indies special.

“For me the most important thing is the way you carry yourselves on and off the field. I think it’s a great learning. Your humility, your humbleness is something which my team and a lot of teams across the globe has to learn from. Being absolutely ruthless on the field, but the way you are off the field, I think you guys are great role models.”

He didn’t stop there. Gambhir spoke from the heart about what truly drives great teams: purpose.

“When I talk about international cricket, many teams play because they love the game, there are very few teams someone like West Indies who has a purpose to play this game. Purpose is always more important than the role. And the purpose, when I look at you guys, you guys can inspire the next generation of West Indies cricket.”

Praise for West Indies fightback

Even though India had sealed the series comfortably, Gambhir made sure to appreciate the West Indies’ spirit, especially their gritty second-innings performance.

“The way you played in the second innings of this Test match is probably the template that can take West Indies cricket forward. The way you guys fought from no. 1 to 11. For me, in a team sport, the most important thing is every contribution needs to be appreciated. It’s very easy to talk about hundreds, fifers. For them, guys who are scoring hundreds and taking fifers, they don’t need support from the coaches or the support staff. It’s the small contribution that makes a team, not the big contributions. Big contributions only make headlines.”

He went on to give an example that showed how closely he had followed the game.

“Prime example, someone like Jayden, batting 70 odd balls or Anderson playing 100 balls in the first innings. Those are massive contributions. And that should reflect on the entire group. People might not notice because you don’t play for the outside world, you play for what the dressing room stands for.”

A message that will stay

Gambhir wrapped up his talk by reminding the Caribbean side of their legacy and how much the world still needs West Indies cricket.

“With the amount of difficulties and challenges you have back home, despite of that having a smile on the face, working, playing for the country, trying to inspire the next generation is the most important thing for me in West Indies cricket. West Indies cricket doesn’t need world cricket. World cricket needs West Indies cricket. Remember that.”

In the end, Gambhir’s words summed up the spirit of the game: competition on the field, mutual respect beyond it. And that is what makes cricket, cricket.