India head coach Gautam Gambhir mentioned touring England has at all times been a difficult task, however asserted that the standard of cricket within the ongoing sequence has made “each cricket lover proud.” Gambhir was addressing a gathering on the India Home on Monday night to specific gratitude for the followers’ assist throughout the course of the sequence, which noticed the guests pull off a dramatic draw within the fourth Take a look at at Manchester.
“Touring this a part of the world has at all times been difficult due to the historical past between the 2 nations, which might by no means be forgotten,” mentioned Gambhir throughout his speech.
“At any time when now we have toured the UK, the form of assist now we have bought, we cherish each little bit of it. We by no means take something without any consideration.
A night to recollect because the Excessive Fee of India in London hosted #TeamIndia! 👏
The Indian cricket staff captain Shubman Gill and Head Coach Gautam Gambhir introduced signed cricket bats to Honourable Excessive Commissioner Mr. Vikram Doraiswami and Deputy Excessive Commissioner Mr.… pic.twitter.com/5vZN2g6Fac
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 29, 2025
“Final 5 weeks have been actually thrilling for each nations with the form of cricket that has been on show, which I’m certain has made each cricket lover proud,” he added.
The Indian cricket staff obtained a rousing welcome from neighborhood leaders, parliamentarians and sports activities followers at a diaspora reception hosted by the Excessive Fee of India in London, the place the squad is ready for the fifth and last Take a look at towards England at The Oval from Thursday.
He went on to focus on the significance of the fifth and last Take a look at, which India wanted to win to degree the sequence that now stands 2-1 in favour of England.
“Each the groups have thrown numerous punches and have fought for each inch. We’ve bought yet one more week to go, one last push to make and yet one more alternative to make our nation and other people out right here proud,” mentioned Gambhir.
The gamers have been cheered enthusiastically by the group as a few of the highlights from their current video games have been performed out on display screen.
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Vikram Doraiswami, India’s Excessive Commissioner to the UK, mentioned the combating spirit the staff confirmed throughout the sequence was a simply reflection of the nation’s will to battle the percentages.
“It’s been an excellent sequence, performed in one of the best of spirit. However one of the best little bit of all of it is the truth that now we have an opportunity to see Take a look at cricket performed the best way it’s meant to be – contests for full 5 days, contests which have gone to the wire, contests during which the nice sense of cricket as a sport that’s performed with depth for 5 days.
“And to have our staff right here show what is actually the vary of expertise but additionally the combating spirit that’s now related to Crew India can be an excellent reflection of the combating spirit that now stands for the brand new India that we’re all privileged to characterize right here,” mentioned Doraiswami.
“It doesn’t matter what occurs (within the last Take a look at), we couldn’t be extra pleased with who you (Crew India) are, what you characterize, the place you got here from and what you imply to all of us,” he mentioned.
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Richard Gould, chief govt of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), referenced the India-UK Free Commerce Settlement (FTA) signed off throughout Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s UK go to final week as an indication of the immense scope of collaboration between the 2 nations, together with sports activities.
“In 4 Take a look at matches to date, each considered one of them has gone deep into the fifth day…It’s tough to recollect a Take a look at sequence that has actually resounded as deeply as this one has, each in England and again in India, and we’re all actually wanting ahead to seeing the battle recommence at The Oval on Thursday,” mentioned Gould.
The diaspora gathering concluded with a quick in-conversation session moderated by commentator and former head coach Ravi Shastri with a couple of gamers together with captain Shubman Gill.
“Earlier than the beginning of the sequence, I felt I haven’t actually proven my finest and I used to be working fairly onerous on my sport earlier than the sequence as I wished to show myself,” mentioned Gill, on the subject of his over 700 runs notched up throughout the sequence to date.
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“It was a really hard-fought sport of cricket over the previous 4 days,” he added.