Cricket

Gautam Gambhir's tenure as India's head coach has witnessed a contrasting start, with a resounding T20I series triumph in Sri Lanka followed by a disappointing ODI series loss. However, former South African fielding legend Jonty Rhodes believes that these early results should not raise concerns among Indian fans and administrators.Rhodes emphasizes that any transition in leadership requires time for adjustment. He notes that India possesses the talent and depth to support Gambhir's coaching journey, allowing him to quickly establish his authority and achieve success.Rhodes' experience working with Gambhir at the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has given him insights into the former India opener's character. He describes Gambhir as a passionate individual who strives for excellence both on and off the field."He doesn't expect players to do something that he never did or he won't do," Rhodes said. "He's somebody who's not gonna be lenient with anybody unless it's required because he's expecting."Rhodes believes that Gambhir's unwavering pursuit of excellence and winning attitude will ultimately benefit the Indian team. He emphasizes that Gambhir's focus is not on personal glory but on the team's success.India's next assignment under Gambhir will be the two-Test series against Bangladesh later this month. Rhodes is confident that Gambhir will continue to learn and adapt as a coach, and that the team will eventually find its rhythm under his guidance.

Ravi Shastri, the former head coach of the Indian cricket team, has expressed his support for the appointment of Gautam Gambhir as the new head coach. Shastri believes that Gambhir's contemporary approach, fresh ideas, and experience make him the ideal candidate for the role.Gambhir, who recently led the Kolkata Knight Riders to victory in the Indian Premier League (IPL), brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Indian team. Shastri highlighted Gambhir's understanding of the current players, especially in the white-ball format, as a key advantage."He's contemporary, he just had a great season in the IPL," Shastri said. "I think he's the right age where he's young, he'll come with fresh ideas. He knows most of the players, especially in the white-ball format, having been part of teams in the IPL."Shastri also emphasized the importance of player management in the role of a coach. He believes that Gambhir's ability to understand his players as individuals will be crucial for success."Obviously, player management becomes the key as a coach," Shastri said. "So it'll be interesting to see how he goes. I think he's got the tools, he's got the goods for the job and he's got the experience."Gambhir's first assignment as head coach will be the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, starting with the three T20Is on Saturday in Pallekele. He will then take over in all formats, with major assignments including the five home Tests starting in September and the ICC trophies in 2025 and 2026.Shastri believes that India needs to find the right mix for the T20I format, especially with the departure of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja. However, he is confident that Gambhir has the talent and experience to guide the team to success."I think a lot of the players that won this T20 World Cup will still be around two years later," he said. "So I don't think there's much to be done there. In fact, you will get a problem on your hands because you'll have to choose from the new lot that's coming and there's some real exciting talent there."

Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed India head coach, has emphasized the significance of workload management for premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah, describing him as a "rare bowler." During his inaugural press conference, Gambhir stressed the importance of preserving Bumrah's longevity and ensuring his availability for crucial matches.Bumrah's injury history has been a concern for the Indian team, with the 30-year-old spending extended periods on the sidelines. In 2022, he missed the T20 World Cup due to a back injury and underwent surgery in March 2023, keeping him out for four months.Gambhir acknowledged Bumrah's exceptional talent and the need to manage his workload effectively. "He is one rare bowler that anyone would want," Gambhir said. "You want him to play important games. That's why workload management for not just him but fast bowlers is important."While emphasizing the importance of workload management for fast bowlers, Gambhir also expressed his expectation that batters should be available for all formats of the game. "If you are a batter, who's batting well, you might as well just play all formats," he said. "Rohit and Virat have retired from T20Is now, so they will play two formats from now. Hopefully, they are available for most of the games."Gambhir's comments highlight the delicate balance between preserving the health of fast bowlers and ensuring the availability of key players for all formats of the game. As India prepares for a busy schedule in the coming months, including the ODI World Cup in 2023, effective workload management will be crucial to the team's success.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is poised to officially unveil Gautam Gambhir as India's new head coach at a press conference scheduled before the team's departure for the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka. This tour marks Gambhir's first assignment since succeeding Rahul Dravid as head coach.Dravid's tenure concluded in June following the T20 World Cup, where India emerged victorious after defeating South Africa in a gripping final. Subsequently, the BCCI appointed Gambhir as his successor. The team is expected to depart for Sri Lanka on July 22 from Mumbai, with the pre-departure press conference likely to be held on the same day.India's Sri Lanka tour commences with a three-match T20I series on July 27, followed by a three-match ODI series to conclude the tour. The selection committee announced the white-ball squads earlier this week, naming Suryakumar Yadav as the T20I captain and Rohit Sharma as the ODI captain.Rohit and Virat Kohli, who both retired from T20Is after the T20 World Cup, were initially reported to be unavailable for the ODIs. However, the legendary duo was eventually included in the squad for the 50-over leg of the tour.Prior to the squad announcement, there was speculation regarding the T20I captaincy, given Rohit's unavailability. Reports suggested that Gambhir favored Suryakumar Yadav, while BCCI secretary Jay Shah backed Hardik Pandya. Ultimately, Suryakumar Yadav was named as the skipper for the shortest format, but he was not included in the ODI squad.Rohit and Virat were reportedly persuaded by the cricket board to make themselves available for the ODIs, considering the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled for February-March next year and the limited number of ODIs scheduled for India before that.

Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian opener, is set to embark on his maiden coaching assignment with the Indian cricket team during their upcoming white-ball tour of Sri Lanka. Gambhir's appointment as head coach follows the successful tenure of Rahul Dravid, who stepped down after India's triumph at the T20 World Cup in Barbados.Brett Lee, the legendary Australian pacer, has expressed his confidence in Gambhir's ability to lead the Indian team to success. Lee believes that Gambhir's aggressive and winning mindset, which he displayed during his playing days, will translate into positive results for the team."He's done a terrific job every time he's had an opportunity," Lee said of Gambhir. "The Indian Premier League title with KKR is the best example. He's always been there, always at the top of his game. He finds a way to unite his players and graft his team together. He builds a solid structure."Lee also praised Dravid for his successful stint as head coach, saying, "Congratulations to Rahul for finishing on a high."Regarding India's performance at the T20 World Cup, Lee commended Rohit Sharma's leadership. "Big, big congratulations to India," Lee said. "They looked like a strong side, to be very honest. Massive congratulations to Rohit Sharma and the Indian team. He led from the front in the tournament."India will face Sri Lanka in three T20Is and as many ODIs, starting July 26. Rohit and Virat Kohli are likely to be rested for the tour, providing an opportunity for younger players to showcase their skills.

Gautam Gambhir's appointment as head coach of the Indian cricket team has sparked excitement and anticipation ahead of the upcoming white-ball tour of Sri Lanka. Gambhir, known for his astute leadership and tactical acumen, will make his debut as head coach on July 26.Gambhir's appointment comes after the successful tenure of Rahul Dravid, who led India to victory in the T20 World Cup last month. Gambhir's credentials as a coach were solidified during his time with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Under his guidance, KKR emerged as IPL champions earlier this year, ending a 10-year title drought.Ahead of Gambhir's debut series, KKR captain Shreyas Iyer has been spotted training diligently. Iyer, who was overlooked for the T20 World Cup and the ongoing tour of Zimbabwe, could benefit immensely from Gambhir's mentorship.Iyer's recent training sessions have showcased his determination and commitment. Despite the heavy rain, he was seen working out relentlessly, demonstrating his unwavering work ethic.Iyer's absence from the national team and the Central Contracts list has been a source of disappointment for the talented batter. However, Gambhir's appointment could mark a turning point in his career.Prior to the IPL, Iyer faced criticism for skipping a Ranji Trophy match due to a reported back issue. However, the NCA's contradictory fitness report raised questions about his commitment.Despite these setbacks, Iyer remained focused on his goals. He attended a pre-IPL camp with KKR and worked tirelessly to improve his fitness and performance."I had a terrific World Cup and I wanted to take a break after that and wanted to work on my body and build some strength around certain areas," Iyer said on his YouTube channel. "Due to lack of communication, there were some decisions that didn't go in my favor.""But I realized that the bat is going to be in my hand and it's on me to perform and win trophies. I decided that once I win Ranji Trophy and IPL that would be an apt answer for whatever happened in the past and thankfully everything fell into the right place. I am grateful for how it happened."With Gambhir at the helm, Iyer has a golden opportunity to revive his international career and prove his worth as a world-class batter.

Former Zimbabwean cricketer and current Royal Challengers Bangalore head coach Andy Flower has expressed his support for the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) decision to appoint Gautam Gambhir as the head coach of the Indian cricket team.Flower, who worked with Gambhir during their time together at Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League (IPL), praised Gambhir's strong opinions and clear views on the game. He believes that Gambhir's decisiveness and passion for Indian cricket make him an ideal candidate for the role."He's got strong opinions, he's got strong clear views on the game. He's very decisive, he's a very proud Indian, he loves Indian cricket and his position, representing Indian cricket. I think it's a good appointment and I think he's going to be successful," Flower said on Sony Sports ahead of the third T20I match between India and Zimbabwe.Gambhir, a former India opener, has a successful track record as a player and mentor. He led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to their first two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014, and under his mentorship, KKR won their third IPL title in 2024.BCCI president Roger Binny stated that Gambhir's appointment marks a new chapter for Team India. He highlighted Gambhir's experience and leadership qualities as key factors in his selection."Gautam Gambhir's appointment as Team India's new head coach marks a new chapter. His experience and leadership qualities make him the ideal candidate to guide the team forward," Binny said.Gambhir was selected over WV Raman, who was also interviewed for the position. Binny emphasized that Gambhir's experience and vision for the team ultimately led to his appointment.

Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian cricketer known for his gritty determination and leadership skills, has been appointed as the new head coach of the Indian cricket team. This appointment has sparked excitement and anticipation among fans and experts alike.Gambhir's tenure as captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) showcased his unwavering support for young players and his ability to nurture their talent. He has a reputation for identifying raw talent and providing them with the guidance and support they need to succeed.As India's head coach, Gambhir is expected to continue his focus on developing the team's youth core. He believes in the importance of first-class cricket as a foundation for selecting players for the national team. He has emphasized the need for a balanced approach, where players are selected based on their skills and adaptability to different conditions.Gambhir's no-nonsense attitude and team-first approach are likely to keep the Indian team on their toes. He is known for his unwavering belief in the importance of team unity and discipline. This will be crucial as India navigates a period of transition following the retirements of senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja.While India has consistently performed well in knockout tournaments, Gambhir's appointment is expected to bring a renewed focus on bowling depth in white-ball formats. He believes that bowlers who can deliver in tough overs are essential for success in modern cricket.Gambhir's appointment also signals a shift towards a more pragmatic approach to team selection. He has stressed the importance of selecting players based on their performances in the appropriate formats, such as the IPL for T20Is, Vijay Hazare Trophy for ODIs, and first-class cricket for Tests.With the Champions Trophy and another year of the World Test Championship cycle ahead, Gambhir has ample time to make an immediate impact on the Indian team. His legacy as coach will likely be defined by his ability to foster a culture of excellence, develop young talent, and maintain India's status as a cricketing powerhouse.

Gautam Gambhir Appointed Head Coach of India Men's Cricket Team: KKR Pays TributeKolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has extended a heartfelt tribute to their former captain and mentor, Gautam Gambhir, following his appointment as the head coach of the India men's cricket team. Gambhir, a two-time World Cup winner, will assume his new role later this month with the limited-overs tour of Sri Lanka.KKR took to social media to honor Gambhir's new position, sharing an old quote from him: "There is no bigger honor than coaching your national team." The franchise also posted a video montage showcasing Gambhir's journey and accomplishments with KKR, captioning it "Guru Gambhir."Gambhir's coaching journey officially begins as India faces Sri Lanka in three T20Is and three ODIs starting July 27. While he has no formal coaching experience, Gambhir has made a significant impact as a mentor in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He guided the Lucknow Super Giants during the 2022 and 2023 seasons and returned to KKR as a mentor in 2024, leading them to their third IPL title.As a player, Gambhir captained KKR to two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014. His leadership and tactical acumen were instrumental in the team's success. KKR's tribute highlighted Gambhir's profound influence on the team, both as a player and mentor.Gambhir succeeds Rahul Dravid, who recently led India to their second T20 World Cup triumph. As head coach, Gambhir will oversee several key assignments, including the five-Test tour of Australia in November, the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan, and the 2026 T20 World Cup co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.Gambhir's illustrious playing career includes pivotal roles in India's 2011 Cricket World Cup and 2007 T20 World Cup victories. He was named ICC's Test player of the year in 2009 and retired from international cricket in 2016 with over 10,000 runs across all formats. His final cricketing chapter was with the Delhi Capitals in the IPL, where he retired from all forms of cricket in 2018.KKR's tribute to Gambhir is a testament to his legacy as a player, mentor, and now head coach. His appointment is a proud moment for the franchise and the Indian cricket fraternity.