By Sanjeev Kumar Patro

Bhubaneswar: Gautam Gambhir, the feisty batsman of India, is currently the head coach of Indian Cricket team. This gritty cricketer is a class apart from others for his sheer passion for the game and insatiable appetite for runs.

The left hander opening batsman for the Indian Cricket team captained 6 international one dayers between 2010 and 2011. The strike rate of this passionate cricketer looks awesome, as under his captaincy, India won all the six ODI matches. The aggressive batsman and a strategic thinker captained Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL. Leading from the front, he made the SRK owned KKR franchise win two titles in 2012 and 2014. In 2024, he was appointed the mentor of KKR, and the SRK franchise repeated the same wonder feat.

'GAMBHIR' AND 'GAUTAM' 

In an interview, legendary fast bowler and former Pakistan Captain Wasim Akram described Gautam Gambhir’s personality very vividly. 

He said, “Gambhir is very simple, straightforward, not difficult, but he talks straight. This quality isn't in our culture. In our culture, we ignore things. But Gautam is a person, if he doesn't like anything, he will let you know. That's his quality and that's why everybody likes him in the cricketing world."

When Gautam Gambhir was appointed Head Coach of Indian Cricket team, he outlined his vision for Team India. Gambhir delineated his following cricketing vision.

• He wants to make a team that can score 400 runs in a day and, if needed, bat for two days to draw a Test. 
• He emphasized adaptability and growth, highlighting that playing in only one way does not demonstrate growth. 
• Gambhir noted that India has individuals in the dressing room capable of adjusting their style as the situation demands, with the primary motivation being to win, and drawing as a last resort if required.

COACH GAMBHIR FALTERS?

Notwithstanding, his clear cut strategic vision for the team India, coach Gambhir seems fumbling, exactly as cricketer Gambhir faced at the start of his career. The lefty aggressive opener didn’t have a wonder start early in his career. Battling with technical flaws, the player with passion bloomed in 2007, 5 years after his debut. The Delhi cricketer was at his peak between 2007 -2011.  He was also the costliest player in IPL.

The show by coach Gambhir has been very mixed. He had to take in his stride many record failures like the following.

• India lost bilateral ODI series to Sri Lanka after 27 years.
• India lost 2-0 to Sri Lanka.
• India lost its first home Test series in 12 years, as the team lost two test matches to touring New Zealand. 
• Cricket fans criticized Gambhir's coaching style.
• They questioned, is his coaching style doesn’t suiting Indian team?
•  Some critics are of the opinion that his ambition is commendable, but there is a lacking in execution.
• Cricket experts are of the opinion that there is a gap between alignment of his vision and strategy, especially against a resilient New Zealand team, the gap seems wide open. 
• However, Gautam Gambir's big test lies in Australia from Nov 22, when the Indian team will visit the down under to play Gavaskar – Border Trophy.

WHAT RAVI SHASTRI FEELS?

Expresing his opinion at commentary box, the flamboyant cricketer, former Captain and Coach, Ravi Shastri said, "New Zealand have beaten India handsomely in both the Test matches. It's food for thought. He (Gambhir) has just taken over the job. It's never easy being coach of a team that has such a big following. It's still early days in his career as a coach. But he'll soon learn,"

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