‘Kumble 2’ or new dawn: Gautam Gambhir’s challenges as India coach – Sports News Portal | Latest sporting goods

On the phone, a cricket veteran from Mumbai sounded skeptical. “People love Gautam Gambhir,” he said, requesting anonymity. “I have a fear. This could become Kumble 2.”

In 2017, Anil Kumble had to make an acrimonious retirement as India coach after falling out with then India captain Virat Kohli. Kumble, the great leg-spinner, fell short in the most important aspect of modern coaching: man management.

A few years ago, Paddy Upton, the former mental conditioning coach of the Indian team who also coached Delhi Daredevils in the IPL, wrote a comprehensive book on the modern style of coaching. He criticized the old-fashioned ‘my-way-or-the-highway’ style and advocated a ‘new-school’ type, where a coach becomes a learning partner.

A section of Indian cricket circles sees Gambhir as a confrontational character and fears that he will shake things up after becoming India coach, much to the chagrin of the star players. While negotiating informally with the BCCI, he reportedly imposed certain conditions, including full assignment to manage the team.

The Indian team has galacticos like Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah. Will Gambhir, who has publicly spoken out against celebrity culture in the past, be able to control it without ruffling feathers?

Private conversations with some Kolkata Knight Riders players will tell you that the concerns are unfounded. As a KKR mentor, Gambhir created a dressing room atmosphere where every team member played for a common goal: winning the title. Mind you, KKR had some big stars; from Mitchell Starc to Andre Russell, Sunil Narine and Shreyas Iyer. And after KKR won the IPL, they were all effusive in their praise for the team mentor.

“GG ​​has not only been a mentor, he has been a leader for us in every department, and I think that has been the key to our success,” Russell told the host broadcaster after beating Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final. “He made sure every batsman and every bowler played their part and GG is just a great guy to play in any line-up.”

Of course, Gambhir will be his own man as India coach and he will not hesitate to make tough decisions. Rewind to the 2012 IPL final, when he dropped Brendon McCallum for Manvinder Bisla. McCullum was arguably the biggest star on that KKR team, and he obviously didn’t take too kindly to his negligence. However, Gambhir was eventually proven right as Bisla played the innings of his life and KKR won the trophy.

Some people are citing Gambhir’s on-field clashes with Kohli to suggest that the two will not thrive in the Indian team. The former India opener, two-time World Cup winner, has an answer to that.

“The perception is far removed from reality,” Gambhir told Sportskeeda last month. “My relationship with Virat Kohli is something this country doesn’t need to know. He has as much right as I do to express himself and help our respective teams win. Our relationship is not to give masala to the public.”

Gambhir knows how modern coaching works. He won’t feel uncomfortable in a star-studded locker room. At the same time, he is probably the right man to guide the transition.

Rahul David’s tenure will end after the ongoing T20 World Cup and the new coach’s tenure will run from July 1 to December 31, 2027. The Indian team is expected to undergo a transition during that period, especially in white-ball cricket. New players will come in and they will have a perfect mentor and coach in Gambhir. Gambhir is also a winner. Hopefully, he will come up with a formula that will help India overcome the final hurdle, at the ICC events.

PS Former Indian batsman WV Raman also appeared (online) for the interview for the post of head coach. And while he is unlikely to get the job, it is learned that Raman, who was the Indian women’s head coach from December 2018 to May 2021, can be considered as the new batting coach of the Indian team under Gambhir. Raman was KKR’s batting coach during the team’s title-winning campaign in 2014. Gambhir was the captain. A reunion cannot be ruled out.