Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed head coach of the Indian cricket team, faces a daunting task as the team embarks on a grueling Test season. The season kicks off with a match against Bangladesh on September 19, followed by a series of back-to-back matches against New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia.
Gambhir, who took charge after a brief tour of Sri Lanka last month, has a proven track record of success as a player and coach. He led the Kolkata Knight Riders to two Indian Premier League (IPL) titles and has a reputation for being a demanding and results-oriented coach.
Ahead of the upcoming series, Gambhir participated in a fun interaction on the sidelines of the Delhi Premier League T20. He was asked to name cricketers based on one word, providing insights into his perceptions of some of the game’s greatest players.
Gambhir described Yuvraj Singh as “Badshah” (King), himself as “Angry Young Man,” Sachin Tendulkar as “Dabang” (Fearless), Virat Kohli as “Shahenshah” (Emperor), Jasprit Bumrah as “Khiladi” (Player), Rahul Dravid as “Mr. Perfectionist,” and Sourav Ganguly as “Tiger.”
South African cricket legend Jonty Rhodes, who is the fielding coach of the Lucknow Super Giants, expressed confidence in Gambhir’s ability to make an immediate impact on the Indian team. He praised Gambhir’s hands-on approach and his ability to speak his mind.
Rhodes also lauded the appointment of Zaheer Khan as mentor of the Lucknow Super Giants, highlighting his calm head and technical expertise. He believes that Zaheer’s presence will help the team navigate tense situations during matches.
With a challenging Test season ahead, Gambhir will be eager to prove his mettle as head coach. His ability to motivate and inspire the team, as well as his tactical acumen, will be put to the test as India faces some of the world’s top cricketing nations.
