Cricket

India's Test captain Rohit Sharma has expressed confidence in the team's ability to adapt to the coaching style of new head coach Gautam Gambhir. Speaking ahead of the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai, Sharma acknowledged the differences between Gambhir's approach and that of his predecessor, Rahul Dravid."Obviously, Rahul bhai, Vikram Rathour, and Paras Mhambrey were a different team," Sharma said. "It is only acceptable that the new support staff will bring a different perspective."Despite the change in leadership, Sharma emphasized the importance of a good understanding between the captain and coach. "New coaching staff has a different style, but there is no problem," he said. "Good understanding is important, and I have that with Gambhir."Gambhir took over as head coach after Dravid's tenure ended following the T20 World Cup in June. The Chennai Test, beginning on September 19, will be India's first red-ball game under Gambhir's guidance.Sharma expressed optimism about the team's preparations for the series. "We have had a good camp in Bangalore," he said. "We have worked on our skills and strategies, and we are confident of putting up a good performance in Chennai."The Indian captain also praised the Bangladesh team, saying they have improved significantly in recent years. "Bangladesh is a very good team," Sharma said. "They have some quality players, and they will be a tough challenge for us."India will be looking to extend their dominance over Bangladesh in Test cricket. The two teams have met 12 times in the longest format, with India winning 10 matches and Bangladesh winning only one.

Gautam Gambhir, a legendary cricketer and now a respected coach, has a proven track record of success both on and off the field. As a player, he played pivotal roles in India's triumphs at the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup. In the Indian Premier League (IPL), he led the Kolkata Knight Riders to the title.Beyond his playing career, Gambhir has made a significant impact as a mentor for various IPL teams, including the Lucknow Super Giants and KKR. His guidance and insights have been instrumental in shaping the teams' strategies and performances.Now, as the coach of the Indian cricket team, Gambhir faces a crucial challenge. The upcoming months will be a test of his leadership and tactical acumen as India embarks on a mission to achieve success on the international stage.Gambhir is known for his straightforward and honest approach. Manan Vohra, a prominent figure in Indian domestic cricket, shared an enlightening conversation he had with Gambhir after being selected for only one match during the 2022 and 2023 LSG seasons."I approached Gambhir and expressed my concerns about playing just one match," Vohra recalled. "He responded with a simple yet profound statement: 'Life is different for everyone; some players get eight matches, some get just one. Not everyone gets the same opportunities. But if you have one match, you have to make the most of it.'"Initially, I could have taken offense, but I realized the wisdom in his words. If you're truly talented, you should be able to prove yourself even with limited opportunities."Vohra's experience highlights Gambhir's belief in accountability and the importance of seizing every chance. This philosophy has resonated with Vohra and has influenced his approach to the game.As India prepares for upcoming challenges, Gambhir's leadership and guidance will be crucial. His experience, tactical prowess, and unwavering determination will be invaluable assets as the team strives for success on the global stage.

The relationship between Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli, two prominent figures in Indian cricket, has been a complex one marked by both professional respect and occasional friction.During their early years as teammates, Gambhir played a significant role in mentoring Kohli, guiding him through the challenges of international cricket. However, their relationship has also been strained by moments of on-field aggression and differences in perspective.One notable incident occurred during the 2013 Indian Premier League (IPL) match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), captained by Gambhir, and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), captained by Kohli. After Kohli's dismissal, a heated exchange ensued between the two captains, requiring the intervention of umpires and players to restore order.In 2023, Kohli and Gambhir were fined for a post-match altercation following the RCB-LSG game. Despite these incidents, there have also been moments of mutual respect and camaraderie between the two players.One such instance occurred during a 2009 ODI match against Sri Lanka, where Gambhir and Kohli shared a 224-run partnership. Gambhir, who remained unbeaten on 150, praised Kohli's contribution and handed over his Man of the Match award to him, acknowledging the importance of Kohli's maiden ODI century.This gesture highlighted Gambhir's leadership and recognition of Kohli's talent. Despite their occasional differences, both players have always acknowledged each other's contributions to the team.The relationship between Gambhir and Kohli has evolved over the years, from one of mutual respect to moments of on-field aggression and differences in perspective. However, both players have maintained a level of professionalism in their interactions, recognizing the importance of their contributions to Indian cricket.

Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian men's cricket team head coach, has often been portrayed as an enigmatic figure. During his playing career, Gambhir's fiery demeanor and unwavering passion were evident on the field. He played a pivotal role in some of India's most memorable victories, particularly in ICC events.Gambhir's contributions to India's triumph in the 2007 ICC World T20 and the 2011 ODI World Cup were instrumental. He emerged as one of India's most reliable match-winners, but his path to the top was not without challenges.Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra, who also opened the batting during his playing days, shed light on the intense competition within the Indian team at the time. To accommodate talented batters, drastic changes were made, even demoting Virender Sehwag to the No. 4 spot."We were competitors because we were fighting for one place. Our team was very good. When we were playing, only one of Kohli and Dhawan got the chance to play. The team was like that. In fact, there was no place for even Viru to open the batting. Viru batted four so that we can accommodate one of Shikhar and Virat at 3," Chopra recalled in a podcast with Raj Shamani on YouTube.Chopra acknowledged that he and Gambhir were not close friends due to the intense competition for opening spots. However, he recognized Gambhir's unwavering passion and dedication."We were competitors to begin with. He wasn't a friend, to be honest. (But he was a) very passionate guy, very hard working, and very serious about his craft. And he scored a lot of runs. But he always wore his heart on the sleeve, was extremely passionate, and could short-fuse very quickly in terms of temperament," Chopra further revealed.Despite his fiery nature, Chopra emphasized Gambhir's kind-heartedness and humble upbringing. "He's a good hearted guy, comes from a very affluent family. For that kid to have that kind of passion... he would be at the ground the whole day. He was born with a golden spoon, not even silver. It's a different journey, basically like Abhinav Bindra. Gautam has the heart at the right place," Chopra asserted.

Former Indian batsman Ajay Jadeja believes that Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed head coach of the Indian cricket team, will instill an aggressive and proactive approach in the team during the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. Jadeja expects Gambhir to keep the opposition on their toes throughout the series, which begins on September 19 in Chennai."His approach is aggressive. There will never be a dull moment with him around. He will always try something. He will do what he believes," Jadeja said about Gambhir's coaching style. "He will not sit back and let things flow. He will be out there, trying things."Jadeja, who played 196 ODIs for India, believes that Gambhir will not hesitate to make bold decisions, such as appointing Suryakumar Yadav as captain. "I am looking forward to the excitement we are going to see this year," he added.Despite Bangladesh's recent Test series victory against Pakistan, Jadeja remains confident in India's abilities. "India is a far superior team," he said. "Any team that has just won will always think they can win. But there is a difference between the Pakistan team at the moment and the India cricket team."Jadeja also commented on India's upcoming Test tour of Australia in November. "November is far off, but we have done well in Australia in the past. Why should we not think that we will do it again?" he said.

Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir: A Tale of On-Field Rivalry and Off-Field RespectVirat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir, two stalwarts of Indian cricket, have often been the subject of intense scrutiny due to their on-field clashes. However, beyond the heated exchanges, there lies a deep-seated respect between the two players.Despite their contrasting personalities and playing styles, Kohli and Gambhir share a common bond: their unwavering passion for the game. Both players have made significant contributions to Indian cricket, with Kohli emerging as one of the greatest batsmen of all time and Gambhir playing a pivotal role in India's 2011 World Cup triumph.While their on-field rivalry has been well-documented, Gambhir has consistently maintained his admiration for Kohli's abilities. "I have a lot of respect for Virat Kohli," Gambhir said after taking charge as coach of the Indian cricket team. "On the field, everyone has the right to fight for their own jersey, but off the field, we're representing India and we're going to be on the same page."Piyush Chawla, who has played with both Kohli and Gambhir, has witnessed firsthand the contrasting nature of their personalities. "Gauti bhai is very motivating and gives you a free hand," Chawla said. "He backs you even if you don't perform well, which is a brilliant thing for any player."Despite their on-field differences, Kohli and Gambhir have always put the team's interests first. In the 2011 World Cup, they played crucial roles in India's historic victory, showcasing their ability to set aside personal rivalries for the greater good.Off the field, Gambhir has been known for his generosity and support of young players. Chawla recalled an incident where Gambhir correctly answered a trivia question about Kohli's 50th century, demonstrating his deep knowledge of the game and his respect for his former teammate.The relationship between Kohli and Gambhir is a testament to the complexities of human nature. Despite their on-field rivalry, they share a deep-seated respect for each other's abilities and a common goal of representing India with pride.

Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed head coach of the Indian cricket team, has commenced his tenure with a rigorous training session at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The session marked the beginning of India's preparations for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, which commences in five days.Gambhir, along with his coaching staff comprising Morne Morkel (bowling coach), Abhishek Nayar (assistant coach), and Ryan ten Doeschate (fielding coach), oversaw the training session under strict secrecy. The media was barred from attending, and no footage was allowed to be captured.The session focused on getting the players back into game mode after a prolonged break following the T20 World Cup triumph in June. Virat Kohli, who arrived from England late on Thursday, was among the first to take to the nets and face the bowling of Jasprit Bumrah, R Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja.With a place in the World Test Championship Final in June 2025 at stake, India faces a challenging schedule of 10 Tests over the next five months. After the two Tests against Bangladesh, they will host New Zealand for a three-Test series, followed by a five-Test tour of Australia.Gambhir aims to secure four wins and a draw from these 10 games to qualify for the WTC Final. For the first five home Tests, he will need to manage the rotation of his pace bowlers. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are likely to play at Chepauk, while Mohammed Shami is on the comeback trail.Left-arm pacer Yash Dayal and Bengal's Akash Deep are also in contention for a debut, depending on their performance in practice. Another key decision for the coaching staff is the choice between KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan as the No. 5 batter.Rishabh Pant remains the first-choice wicketkeeper, but his fitness after a recent accident will be closely monitored. Dhruv Jurel, who impressed on his debut against England, provides a capable backup option.Gambhir, known for his demanding nature, will expect his players to perform at their best. Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and R Ashwin are all likely to feature in the first Test.

Gautam Gambhir's Bollywood Movie Titles for Indian CricketersDuring a lighthearted segment at the Delhi Premier League T20, Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir showcased his playful side by assigning Bollywood movie titles to Indian cricketers, including Virat Kohli.Gambhir's choices were both amusing and insightful. For Kohli, he selected "Shahenshah" (Emperor), a fitting title for the Indian captain's dominance on the field. Yuvraj Singh was dubbed "Badshah," while Gambhir humorously referred to himself as the "Angry Young Man."Sachin Tendulkar, the legendary batsman, was aptly named "Dabang," while Jasprit Bumrah, the pace sensation, earned the title "Khiladi." Gambhir emphasized that Bumrah's title was "more important than all these," highlighting his exceptional skills. Rahul Dravid, known for his precision and dependability, was recognized as "Mr. Perfectionist."Surprisingly, Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni's names were absent from the segment, leaving cricket enthusiasts curious.Gambhir's playful assignment of movie titles not only provided entertainment but also shed light on his relationship with Virat Kohli. In his first press conference as head coach, Gambhir clarified that he and Kohli are "on the same page" regarding their shared goal of making India proud.As India prepares for their upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, all eyes are on Virat Kohli's much-anticipated return to the Test squad. Kohli's inclusion, along with Rishabh Pant's return after nearly 20 months, adds experience and strength to India's arsenal as they aim to start the two-match series on a high note.

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.