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| Gautam-Dhoni |
Gautam Gambhir, the former stalwart of the Indian cricket team, recently shared his perspective on the often-debated topic of whether captaincy influences a player's batting performance. In a candid conversation with a sports website, Gambhir dismissed the notion that leading the side burdens a player's individual performance and cited examples of cricketing legends, including MS Dhoni and Sourav Ganguly.
Gambhir, who captained Kolkata Knight Riders to victory in the 2012 and 2014 IPL seasons, emphasised that a player's selection in the team is based on their batting and bowling prowess. Captaincy, according to him, is an additional responsibility that doesn't significantly impact an individual's playing abilities.
"Being a captain doesn't affect a player's batting or their game. Many great captains, such as MS Dhoni, Sourav Ganguly, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, have showcased outstanding performances despite their leadership roles," Gambhir stated.
Sharing insights from his own experience as a captain for Kolkata Knight Riders, Gambhir highlighted that a player is chosen for their skills with the bat or ball. Captaincy adds an extra layer of responsibility, but it doesn't alter the core skills that define a player's role in the team.
"When a captain comes to bat, their primary job is to score runs. Whether you are a batsman or a bowler, you are selected for your skills in that specific department. Captaincy is an additional responsibility given to you. When you have the bat in your hand, you are a batsman, and when you have the ball, you are a bowler. It doesn't matter whether you are the captain or not at that moment. Once you are out or complete your over, you resume your role as the captain," Gambhir explained.
The cricketer-turned-commentator underlined the importance of a player's mental approach, emphasising that a captain should not let the burden of leadership affect their primary role in the team. His examples from the illustrious careers of Dhoni, Ganguly, Kohli, and Sharma further contribute to the ongoing debate about the impact of captaincy on a player's game.
As the cricketing world gears up for the IPL 2024, Gambhir's insights add a layer of intrigue to the discussions surrounding leadership dynamics in the high-stakes tournament.
*Note: The opinions expressed by Gambhir are his own, and the dynamics of captaincy may vary from player to player.*
