Mumbai: Gautam Gambhir, former India opener and Member of Parliament, was questioned on Monday in his first news conference as the senior Indian men’s cricket team’s new chief coach about his philosophy and coaching method.
An aggressive individual both on and off the field who has recently had run-ins with quite many people, Gambhir has earlier openly voiced his strong opinions about matters like playing against Pakistan, having a winning attitude, and bilateral tours over the border.
Gambhir pledged that he will always support the players who deserve a spot in the team and that he wants to give them ample opportunity, even as he expressed his desire to avoid overcomplicating matters and to create a joyful and energetic dressing room.
“My approach is pretty simple. I think it is important to give players freedom. I think that’s what I absolutely believe in and not having a relationship between a head coach and a player. I think for me the best relationship is a relationship which is built on trust, and that is going to be very important. I can promise guys that I think the most important thing for me is that they will always have my back,” he said.
Gambhir added, “And I’ve always said that a happy dressing room is a very interesting, happy and secure dressing room. So that’s my responsibility, alongside the entire support staff, to make it a happy and secure dressing room. And that’s one thing to me,” said Gambhir on Monday.
“I don’t want to complicate things because one thing we need to be clear is that I think I’m taking over a very, very successful team. The T20 World Champion. I think runner-up in the World Test Championship and runner-up in the 50-over World Cup. So, it’s not that it’s not a successful team. So yes, I think it’s big shoes to fill, but then looking forward to it,” Gambhir added.
Gambhir said he was not a big fan of having different teams for different formats. He would like the batters to play as many matches as they can. For the bowlers, he said managing workload is very important.
Gambhir said taking over as coach in all three formats is challenging because of the team’s busy schedule.
“It’s always been a challenge because when you take over in all the three formats. More importantly, after the Sri Lanka tour, we got a long break, we got a month break and then we got ten Test matches. I think that’s not bad because, after the home series, we have the tour of Australia coming up as well. But then again, I think that’s what the challenge is all about. I am really excited about it and hopefully, we can do really well in the Test matches.
“As the chairman has already said some of the players who did miss out on this tour of Sri Lanka because there are ten Test matches and someone like Ravindra Jadeja is very important for all those ten Test matches. So yes, I am really looking forward to all those ten Test matches,” said Gambhir.
Gambhir said he shares cordial relations with BCCI secretary Jay Shah and rubbished all reports that they are not on the same page.
“I think we go a long way back and all these speculations about different things, even on different pages and all this, I think we can do a better job by probably clarifying those things rather than putting it in the press.
“Because we go a long way back, and so far, I think it’s a great relationship. Hopefully, it stays that way because the betterment of Indian cricket is more important, Gautam Gambhir is not important. I think all of us have a heart in the right place. And if you, all of us think that India needs to move forward for that, we all have to be on the same page. So I really enjoyed working with him, and hopefully, things will continue to be the same in the future as well,” said Gambhir.
The 2011 World Cup winner also discussed his friendship with Virat Kohli, with whom he had a contentious and challenging time during their repeated arguments in the previous two IPL seasons.
Gambhir referred to news of his clashes with Kohli as “good for TRP.” Both are aggressive and want to be part of a winning team.
“Good for the TRP, but my relationship is not public. What kind of relationship do I share with Virat Kohli, I think it is between two mature individuals,” Gambhir told reporters on Monday.
“On the field, everyone has the right to fight for their team, for their own jersey, and to come back in a winning dressing room. But, at the moment, I think you are representing India and representing 140 crore Indians and I am sure we will be on the same page and try to make India proud.
“I share a very good relationship off the field, and we will continue to do that. But yes, to make it more public what kind of a relationship (we have), I think it is between two individuals,” he said.
Asked whether he had spoken with Kohli after taking over as the chief coach, Gambhir was a bit evasive and eventually said they had exchanged a few text messages.
“How many chats have I had with him, after my announcement or before my announcement, during the games, after the games – I think sometimes just because we want headlines – it is not important. The most important thing right now is that we both must work extremely hard to make India proud. And that is our job.
“He is a thorough professional, he is a world-class athlete, he is a world-class player. I have always said that. I have huge respect for him as a player, and it will continue. And hopefully, we can work together really well,” Gambhir said.
Gambhir also discussed Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who have both quit the T20I format but are still part of the 50-over and Test squads. He said, fitness permitting, both of them could participate in the ODI World Cup in 2027.
“I think they have shown what they can deliver on the big stage, whether it’s the T20 World Cup or the 50-over World Cup as well,” Gambhir said.
“One thing I can be very clear of is that both those guys have a lot of cricket left in them. More importantly, with the Champions Trophy (in 2025) and a big tour of Australia (in November 2024), obviously, they would be motivated enough. And then, hopefully, if they can keep their fitness, the 2027 (ODI) World Cup as well,” said Gambhir.
However, he clarified that the final decision will be with Kohli and Rohit Sharma. “But this is a very personal decision. I can’t say how much cricket is left in them. Ultimately, it’s up to them as well, it’s up to the players. How much can they contribute to the team’s success? Because, ultimately, it’s the team that is important.”
“But looking at what Virat and Rohit can deliver, I think they still have a lot of cricket [left to play]. They’re still world-class players and obviously any team would want to have both of them for as long as possible,” Gambhir added.
The 2027 ODI World Cup will be held in Africa as South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia will jointly host the tournament.
Gambhir also talked about managing the workload for someone like Jasprit Bumrah, who has been a vital cog for India in all three formats.
“I’ve said it before, workload management for someone like Jasprit (Bumrah) is important. He is one rare bowler that anyone would want. You want him to play important games. That’s why the workload management for not just him but fast bowlers is important,” Gambhir said in the press conference.
Gambhir informed that a final decision regarding his support staff will be made after the Sri Lanka tour. For the time being, Abhishek Nayar and Ryan Ten Doeschate will be the Assistant Coaches, while Sairaj Bahutule will be the bowling coach. T. Dilip will be retained as the fielding coach.
“This is going to be the crux of the support staff. As I said, we still have one month after the Sri Lanka tour. We will try and finalise it after the Sri Lanka tour. But, I have worked with people like Abhishek Nayar, and Ryan Ten Doeschate very closely. I have enjoyed working with them in the last two months, especially in the IPL. They are thorough professionals,” Gambhir said in a press conference on Monday.
“Hopefully Ryan and Abhishek can have a successful stint. Hopefully, we can have a successful tenure as coaches. I am really looking forward to working with the rest of the other guys as well. I have also had some really good feedback from the players about the other guys. I am really looking forward to working with them,” he added.
Reports have suggested that Gambhir wants Morne Morkel as the bowling coach but he is currently not available and is likely to join the team later.
Gambhir thanked BCCI for giving him a free hand in picking his support staff. “Really happy with the BCCI. They have agreed to most of the things I have asked for. I was really surprised when I was reading all the news. Abhishek, as assistant coach, Ryan, as assistant coach. I personally feel there could be assistant coaches working and focussing on all three departments rather than one specific department. That’s the reason we now have two assistant coaches. That’s the way we will go forward as well. Yes, we will get to know the exact support staff after the Sri Lanka tour,” he concluded.
–IANS
