Head coach Gautam Gambhir urges Team India to 'tick all the boxes' as spin challenge looms large in Sri Lanka

India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir, is considered a hard taskmaster and someone who expects players to maintain the highest standards on the field of play. He is not expecting anything different from the squad that has travelled to Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series. 

Gambhir, 44, has outlined the commitment he expects everyone from the touring party to display in the Island nation as India return to the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) action after eight months.

"We know what’s in front of us, we know what we are playing for. We can do the volume, we can push our limits, we can tick all the boxes," Gambhir said in a video shared by the BCCI.

"Come 15th morning (August 15), whether we are batting first, whether we are bowling first, we're absolutely ready with every answer, every question that’s thrown at us, and every answer we are ready to give. So make sure we tick all the boxes from now on."

While India have done considerably well in the white-ball formats, their powers have waned in Test cricket in the past 24 months. They suffered a 2-0 loss to South Africa at home late last year, which dented their chances of qualifying for the WTC final. They are coming into the series against Sri Lanka on the back of an innings win over Afghanistan in a one-off Test in New Chandigarh in June.

India's head coach also welcomed Saransh Jain and Auqib Nabi into the team. This is a moment to treasure for both players as they have received their maiden call-ups after a hard grind in the domestic circuit.

"We’ve got a couple of new guys in," Gambhir said. "To start with, Saransh, congratulations. You’ve worked extremely hard to be here. 

"Make sure that you make your family and your country proud whenever you get that opportunity.

"Secondly, I want to congratulate Auqib. You had a phenomenal last season, made J&K win the Ranji Trophy, which is a great achievement. Congratulations once again."