Gambhir’s Coaching Setup Under Fire as India’s Future in Doubt
Team India’s future under Gautam Gambhir’s leadership has come under scrutiny following the disappointing 0-3 Test series loss to New Zealand. The lack of clarity within the coaching setup has raised concerns, particularly regarding the roles of Abhishek Nayar and Ryan Ten Doeschate.
Sunil Gavaskar, a legendary Indian cricketer, expressed his amusement at the ambiguity surrounding the coaching team. He questioned Nayar’s designation and the dual roles of both Nayar and Ten Doeschate as assistant and batting coaches.
Gavaskar urged Gambhir to take a more proactive role in guiding the Indian batters, given his extensive experience in Australian conditions. He emphasized that Gambhir’s knowledge could prove invaluable in helping the team overcome the challenges they will face Down Under.
“For batting…what is the role of Abhishek Nayar in the team? Is he a batting coach or an assistant coach? Gambhir has scored a lot more runs than the two, so if he can step in and guide the players on how to bat in Australian conditions and the type of approach they should take, then we can probably perform better,” Gavaskar said.
Gavaskar also warned Gambhir that his honeymoon period is over and that he now needs to deliver results. He stressed that the team’s performance in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be crucial in determining Gambhir’s future as head coach.
Some of Gambhir’s decisions have been publicly criticized by experts and former cricketers. His decision to drop Shubman Gill for the third Test against New Zealand was met with particular disapproval.
The Indian team’s preparations for the Australia tour have been overshadowed by the uncertainty surrounding the coaching setup. The lack of clarity and the absence of a clear leadership structure could hinder the team’s progress and affect their chances of success in the upcoming series.