“I don't care”- Gautam Gambhir allegedly said when match referee threatened to dock WTC points in Oval Test

India head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill, reportedly ignored ICC match referee’s warning about World Test Championship (WTC) points being docked for slow over rate in pursuit of a memorable win in the fifth and final Test against England at the Oval recently.

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The contest was quite close going into the last day of the Test.  India needed those last breakthroughs to tie the series 2-2, while England only needed 35 runs with four wickets remaining.  However, the stakes off the field also increased as the stress did.

Before the final day of play began, match referee Jeff Crowe made it very evident to the Indian camp that they were six overs behind the acceptable rate, according to a report from Dainik Jagran. 

The consequences were severe: if India didn't bowl out England and make up their over-rate disadvantage, they would lose four vital World Test Championship (WTC) points. This five-Test series was India’s WTC 2027 opening series and after missing out on last year’s final, every point carried significant weight. 

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A tactical change was discussed by Gill, Gambhir, assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak, and others. According to the study, one recommendation was to increase the over rate by bringing on both spinners, Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja, right away. 

However, there was a clear risk involved: Jamie Smith and Jamie Overton of England were positioned and could have taken advantage of the lack of speed to quickly pursue the target.

However, Gambhir decided to take the risk and said: “I don't care about the over rate. “If we lose four points, so be it. We are playing to win.”

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Gill supported his coach, and it was decided that Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, two quick bowlers, would keep attacking from both ends despite over-rate penalties.

India managed to bowl out England, despite Gus Atkinson’s bold stand and Chris Woakes coming out to bat with his hand in a sling. India won by six runs in the end and leveled the series 2-2. 

Thanks to Gambhir’s gamble, India gained vital 28 WTC points. Despite the ICC’s over-rate warning, India avoided a penalty thanks to the result, while England lost two WTC points for their own slow rate.

India is currently ranked third in the WTC rankings, behind Australia and Sri Lanka, and the outcome further solidifies Gambhir's aggressive, no-holds-barred coaching style.

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