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The recent form of the Indian cricket team has been disappointing and as expected, the team has come under intense scrutiny. Not only the players but also the head coach Gautam Gambhir has also been criticized for his methods.
Known for his strict and direct approach, Gambhir has been compared to former India head coach Greg Chappell, under whom the Men in Blue reached a new level of cricket.
Recently, a former Indian team selector opened up about Gambhir’s methods and linked him to Greg Chappell. The coach feels that a player-friendly approach is needed to succeed in India as a head coach.
Gautam Gambhir compared to Greg Chappell
According to PTI, a former national coach criticized Gautam Gambhir’s way of working as head coach and compared his work culture to that of Greg Chappell. The former selector also advised Gambhir to follow in the footsteps of Ravi Shastri, Rahul Dravid, John Wright and Gary Kirsten.
“Or be like a Ravi Shastri, who would be media friendly, give these sound bites that prop up the players by making them look like alpha males,” the selector was quoted as saying by PTI.
The selector further confirmed that Greg Chappell’s way of working will not work in the Indian environment and stated that the coaches will go but the players will stay.
“Or the likes of Rahul Dravid, Gary Kirsten or John Wright, who would stay on the sidelines, letting the players finish the limelight. The ‘Chappell Way’ doesn’t work in India. Gambhirs or Shastris or Dravids will go, but the players will will remain”. he pointed out
India’s success under different coaches
India had considerable success under former head coaches like Gary Kirsten and Rahul Dravid. With Kirsten as the head coach, India won the 2011 ODI World Cup and also rose to the No. 1 spot in the ICC Test rankings.
With Rahul Dravid as the head coach, India won the T20 World Cup 2024 and also reached the final of the ODI World Cup 2023 where they were simply unbeatable till the final. The Men in Blue also enjoyed some success under Ravi Shastri as they won two Test series in Australia during his tenure.
However, the team suffered greatly during Greg Chappell’s tenure. Chappell was known for his Australian way which did not quite work with the Indian players. The men in blue were eliminated from the 2007 ODI World Cup after which Chappell was sacked from his role.
A tough start to Gautam Gambhir’s tenure
The start of Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as India coach has not been easy. While the team has continued its outstanding run in the T20I format, its returns in Tests and ODIs have suffered badly.
In July, India lost an ODI series in Sri Lanka after a gap of 27 years. They also lost a Test series at home to New Zealand by 0-3 in shocking fashion. It was India’s first home Test series defeat in 12 years.
Recently, the Men in Blue failed to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in which Gautam Gambhir was criticized for some questionable decisions. Australia won the series 3–1 and thus confirmed their place in the World Test Championship final.
