Gautam Gambhir Turns to Justin Langer in Bid to Make India Comeback

Gautam Gambhir has travelled over 7000 kilometers in a bid to make a return into the Indian team. The former India opener, who last played for India in August 2014, is training in Perth under the watchful eyes of Justin Langer.

Interestingly, Gambhir had earlier sought BCCI's permission to play county cricket in England and was set to join Essex, but chose Australia in the end.

Speaking to NDTV from Perth, Gambhir explains, "To be honest I can go to any length to improve my game, coming to Australia is still easy. I've always liked the Australian approach towards sport and cricket in general. They say as they see, are uncomplicated and do result-oriented training and that's what I am after"

Langer, who retired from international cricket in 2007, is now an accomplished coach. Since 2012, as coach of Western Australia, he's seen his team win two Sheffield Shield titles and this year's domestic one-day title.

Even the English Cricket Board was keen to have Langer join them as their national team's coach, but he declined citing family commitments.

"Training programme here at Western Australia is brilliant and Langer is a very loving head coach. He makes his boys do gymnastics and martial arts to improve their agility andd hand-eye coordination and footwork", Gambhir tells NDTV. "I too had a bit of fun doing them. Apart from that I bat a plenty in the nets to bowling machine"

As players, the career's of the two left-handers coincided, albeit briefly. And the similarities between them are hard to miss.

"Yes, I see a lot of myself in him (Justin Langer). He's intense like me, loves batting like I do. I like him for his work ethics and the fact that he is very uncomplicated"

With close to 600 runs in the last Ranji season, Gambhir made all the right noises, but failed to get the nod of the national selectors. So, at 33, does he feel he has a second wind in him to help him make a comeback into the Indian team?

"It's only over when you think it's over. I am hungry for this game and more success for India. I want to be a part of the team that dominates teams not only in India but abroad as well. Its a dream to be a part of the Indian team that beats Australia in Australia and likewise England, South Africa etc"

Gambhir plans to train with Langer till the second week of July.