Playing for the team is enough motivation: Gambhir.....

An out-of-form Kolkata side get set to taken on Mumbai who are also in search of consistency with both teams heading to the Eden Gardens on back of consecutive losses. Home team captain Gautam Gambhir, when asked if his side was lacking in motivation, said wearing the team jersey should be their biggest driving force and they do not deserve a place if playing for the team is not motivation enough. 

"Wearing the Kolkata jersey is the biggest motivation. If wearing the jersey is not enough to motivate you, you don't deserve to be sitting in the dressing room because there are lots of people waiting to get into the dressing room and wearing that jersey," Gambhir said during the pre-match press conference. 

"I can't motivate them, they have to motivate themselves. We are the defending champions. What more does one need to be motivated? If you are not motivated, you should sit at home and watch other people play," an angry Gambhir quipped. 

Speaking about their poor performance this year, Gambhir mentioned that there were a few close games that could have gone his team's way and added that the fortunes could change quickly for his side. 

"Yes, we haven't got the results we wanted but that could change very quickly. One good innings, even one or two good boundaries could change things, both for the team and for the players." 

WHen asked if the absence of the mental conditioning coach, Rudi Webster has hurt the players, Gambhir was quick to mention that the players in his side have been united and playing for each other. 

"A lot of people will say that they believe in processes but I believe in results. We are pretty united and we are playing for each other. So there's nothing about missing Webster or anyone. It's about playing positively and that's what we will do." 

When asked if Manjoj Tiwary will be more eager to perform with Rohit Sharma in the opposite side - both players fighting for a spot in the Indian team according to the media - an annoyed Gambhir said he does not believe in contests within the contest. 

"If you want to compete against an individual, you should be playing a different sport. I don't believe in contests within the contest. It's not about Manoj Tiwary being more motivated because Rohit Sharma is there. You guys (journalists) create these things, not the cricketers," said Gambhir. 

Gambhir said he was always up for the challenge as a leader even when things are not going his way. 

"I can't say that I will be there only when things are going our way and take a backseat when things are not going well," he said. "It's a challenge and it's a great challenge. When you are leading a side, you must look for these challenges, and if we can play the kind of cricket we can play, we will get the right results." 

When asked if Kolkata have fallen a long way behind having won only two out of six, Gambhir said: "The day I think Kolkata can't reach the last four, I am going to tell you. Right now I am very positive that we will win matches." 

Gambhir said the team think-tank has not yet decided on the combination for the Mumbai match while adding that whatever decision that will be taken in regards to the composition, will be a positive one. 

"We haven't really made up our minds, whatever we do will be a positive decision because our plan is to and play positive cricket," Gambhir mentioned. 

Gambhir did mention that that there was a bit of a dilemma when it came to picking the overseas players. 

"(Eoin) Morgan's been in very good form. We have got two quality spinners (Sunil Narine and Sachithra Senanayeke) and they have been bowling well. I think, after Morgan, they have been the biggest positives for us. It's a difficult choice - whether you want McCullum up the order or a finisher in the middle order. Our middle order hasn't been doing well, so you want someone like Morgan." 

Asked about Debrata Das, who has had a couple of failures, Gambhir said he is a useful proposition in the middle overs and has also done well behind the stumps despite being a part-time keeper. 

"We felt that Das could give us that explosive power in the middle overs. He gives you better balance and we could push Pathan up the order because of him. Das did a pretty good job, especially keeping to Sunil and Senanayeke, despite being a part-timer."