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| BCCI, File Photo |
Under Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as head coach, Team India suffered Test series losses against both New Zealand and Australia, ultimately failing to secure a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Former cricketer Dinesh Karthik has, however, extended his support to Gambhir, suggesting he should be given some breathing room to make impactful decisions.
Criticism Surrounding Gambhir’s Coaching Stint
Gautam Gambhir, the head coach of the Indian cricket team, has recently faced mounting criticism from fans and cricket analysts alike. His coaching stint has been marked by two consecutive Test series defeats—first against New Zealand and then against Australia. These setbacks ultimately resulted in India’s failure to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
Despite the criticism, former Indian batter Dinesh Karthik came to Gambhir’s defense, emphasizing that the coach should not be judged harshly and instead be given time to adapt. “When we talk about Gambhir, we need to allow him some breathing space because he has taken responsibility during challenging times. Taking over after Rahul Dravid’s successful tenure is no easy feat,” Karthik said.
Karthik’s Advice to Gambhir
Karthik acknowledged Gambhir’s successes in T20 cricket, where the team has excelled under his guidance with contributions from several young players. However, he also highlighted that Test cricket has been a tougher domain for the coach.
“I can confidently say that Gambhir has the ability to bring success. However, Test cricket has been a challenging arena for him. The key decision he needs to make is whether he is satisfied with the current players,” Karthik noted.
Karthik posed critical questions regarding Gambhir’s strategic direction:
- Does Gambhir believe in the current set of players?
- Is he capable of influencing these players to make impactful decisions?
- What is his vision for the Test team’s structure, and do the current players fit into that vision?
“If not,” Karthik added, “then it becomes essential to identify the best way to move forward.”
Review Meeting After Australia Tour
Reports indicate that a review meeting was held on Saturday by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to analyze the team’s performance during the Australia tour. The meeting lasted over two hours and saw the participation of key figures, including Indian captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Gautam Gambhir, BCCI president Roger Binny, and secretary Devjit Saikia.
The discussions were aimed at identifying areas of improvement and charting a future course for the team. It remains to be seen what changes, if any, will be implemented as a result of this review.
