Gautam Gambhir replaced Rahul Dravid as Team India head coach after the latter secured India’s second T20 World Cup title. The former Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor takes over at a high point in Indian cricket. Team India just won their second ICC T20 World Cup and fans think there’s no need for a new coach.
Several comments have trailed the appointment of Gambhir, and some analysts are unsure if he’s the right man for this job. Let’s explore some reasons why there are question marks over Gambhir’s appointment.
Why are there Questions Over the Appointment of Gautam Gambhir as India Head Coach?
Coaching inexperience
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) trusted Gambhir to become Team India head coach. Gambhir has not held any major coaching role since retiring from active cricket. However, the BCCI believes his two mentorship roles at LSG and KKR are enough to lead Team India’s next phase.
Staff requests
Gautam requested foreigners to join his coaching staff, a move that could be divisive as India navigate the post-Dravid era. India has a strict recruitment policy, which encourages the appointment of local talent as coaches. Gambhir’s requests will put him at odds with the BCCI and could cause several issues down the road.
Dynamic international calendar
Gambhir is no stranger to international games as a player, but will he succeed under a tight schedule as head coach. India has a packed calendar of events, and stress on the road could get to the team’s new coach.
Ravi Shastri Endorses Gambhir as Team India Head Coach
Former Team India head coach Ravi Shastri believes Gautam Gambhir possesses every quality to succeed in his new role:
“He’s contemporary; he just had a great season in the IPL, …I think he’s the right age where he’s young, he’ll come with fresh ideas. He knows most of the players, especially in the white-ball format, having been part of teams in the IPL. So, I think it’s refreshing.” Shastri said.
No-nonsense style
Shastri believes Gambhir adopts a direct approach to coach and will make the most of players at his disposal:
“And we know with Gautam, he’s a no-nonsense guy. He’ll have his ideas as well. And the good thing for him is he’s got a mature team. He’s got a settled team, a mature team. I think even though you might think you’re mature, you might benefit from some fresh ideas. So I think it’ll be interesting times,” Shastri added.
Ravi Shastri on player management
Shastri thinks man-management will be one of the key challenges Gambhir will face as Team India head coach:
“Obviously, player management becomes the key as a coach, …So it’ll be interesting to see how he goes. I think he’s got the tools, he’s got the goods for the job, and he’s got the experience, … It’s a question of just understanding his players as quickly as possible, …What their strengths are, what kind of human beings they are, and what kind of temperaments do they have. What are their personalities? A lot goes behind the scenes to understand a human being.”
Shastri believes Gambhir will have a better understanding of the team through players he has worked with as an IPL mentor:
“I think that will be his most important task, which I think, again should not be a problem because he’s contemporary. He’s seen these guys from the outside, he’s dealt with a lot of guys who might have played with KKR as well and for [LSG] when he was there.”
Russel Arnold Weighs in on Gautam Gambhir Appointment
Ex-cricketer Russel Arnold believes Gautam Gambhir is fit to lead Team India through their next phase in international cricket. He hailed Gambhir’s appointment, claiming the ex-KKR mentor will bring focus and fresh energy to India’s charge for international glory:
“So sometimes players, when we play, we are able to go out there and perform, but then it becomes a challenge to get a message across, and get others to perform, which Gautam Gambhir has shown that he can do. We definitely know it’s going to be a different style.” Arnold said.
“There’ll be a bit of adjustment for people to come to terms with Gautam Gambhir, but I think the change is also good because then you become too familiar with one system and hence they’ll be shaken up, maybe even woken up that you still need to get better and you still need to perform a lot more.”
