Whether you admire him or not, Gautam Gambhir is a figure you cannot ignore. Since his playing days, Gambhir has been known as an enigma in the cricket world. From his direct opinions on cricket matters to his strong remarks as an expert, Gambhir is a personality who can influence players’ careers with his straightforward approach. He hinted at his coaching abilities in the Indian Premier League before the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) appointed him as Rahul Dravid’s replacement, a significant change in roles.
Gambhir’s confident team selections, his way of handling different match situations, and his strategic thinking were key to India’s victory in the ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai. While winning ICC titles is a major goal for most coaches, for Gambhir, this is only the beginning of a larger ambition.
Rocky Start
Gambhir’s appointment as India’s head coach wasn’t easy. It brought together two different approaches, especially considering the working style of his predecessor, Rahul Dravid. Concerns arose after series against Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and Australia, leading to questions for the BCCI about choosing Gambhir.
The Champions Trophy in Dubai became a critical test, not just for Gambhir, but also for senior Indian players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Just like his performance in high-pressure matches as a player – such as the 2007 World T20 final and the 2011 ODI World Cup final – Gambhir delivered as a coach. The result was so significant that it gained worldwide attention.
The Tactician
Gambhir made a bold move by including young fast bowler Harshit Rana in the ODI team, even though Rana had only recently debuted in the format. Varun Chakravarthy also made his ODI debut in the England series, possibly with the Champions Trophy in mind. Gambhir’s intuitive decisions over the past couple of months led to both questions and accusations that he was ‘trying to ruin’ some players’ careers.
While Gambhir has always responded sharply to criticism, this time he let the results speak for themselves. Both Varun Chakravarthy and Harshit Rana justified the trust placed in them by Gambhir and the selectors. Once again, Gambhir’s critics were proven wrong.
Although often seen as a coach who excels with young players, Gambhir’s management of experienced players like Rohit and Virat was also crucial in their return to good form. Despite initial doubts about his coaching methods, the outcomes proved his capabilities with flying colors.
Relentless Hunger
One might expect Gambhir to relax after winning the Champions Trophy, but he has already begun preparing for the next challenge. In a surprising move, Gambhir is reported to be traveling with India’s ‘A’ (junior) team to England for a red-ball tournament before the senior team’s 5-Test series.
Many have described the Champions Trophy-winning Indian team as India’s best ODI team ever, featuring stars like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Mohammed Shami, and Ravindra Jadeja. However, Gambhir is already looking for the next generation of Indian cricket stars.
