Former Indian all-rounder Kapil Dev analyzed head coach Gautam Gambhir‘s tenure amid heavy scrutiny following a poor performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) in Australia. Kapil defended Gambhir, emphasizing that the players hold the most significant influence on the outcome of a match.
Gambhir’s coaching start has been disappointing, with India struggling in both Test and ODI formats. Despite a 3-0 T20I series win over Sri Lanka, India faced a surprising 0-2 defeat in the ODI series.
Things appeared to improve when India dominated Bangladesh in the Test and T20I series, winning 2-0 and 3-0, respectively. However, consecutive Test series losses at home to New Zealand and in Australia have led to harsh criticism from fans and former players.
Commenting on Gambhir’s performance as India’s head coach so far, Kapil told Gulf News [via Hindustan Times]:
“The expectations are high. The coaches are not on the field, but the captain and the team are on the ground. A new coach will come out with his own ideas and hope it will serve the country in a better sense. If he’s not, then people will raise their finger.”
He further added:
“Gambhir is a slightly temperamental person. He’s different from Ravi Shastri and Rahul Dravid. Every coach has his own way of thinking, so let’s hope he will do better for the country.”
“When they feel it’s not, they’ll end it,” – Kapil Dev on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
Kapil Dev declined to comment on the future of the struggling duo, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, stating that they will know when it’s time to step down. Both players had a tough Australian series, with averages of 23.75 and 6.20 in five and three Tests, respectively. They also averaged below 16 each in the 0-3 home series loss to New Zealand.
“They are very big players. Let’s hope when they think it’s the right time to play, when they think it’s not, they will call it off,” said Kapil [Via News18].
India will have a break from Tests until their June tour of England. They will next play five T20Is and three ODIs at home against England before the Champions Trophy starts on February 19.
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