Former South African pacer Dale Steyn praised the appointment of Gautam Gambhir as India’s head coach, emphasising that Gambhir’s aggression and game awareness on the field will be advantageous for the Indian team. The BCCI announced Gambhir as the new head coach following the departure of Rahul Dravid. Dravid’s tenure concluded on a high note as India clinched the T20 World Cup title, ending an 11-year ICC trophy drought.
Steyn, in an interview with Star Sports, expressed his admiration for Gambhir, highlighting his combative nature. “I’m a big fan of Gautam Gambhir. I love his aggression. He’s one of the few Indians I ever played against who came back at you, and I like that. I think he’s going to take that into the dressing room with guys like Virat and some of the other senior players who might not play as big a part anymore. I’m not too sure,” Steyn said.
Steyn further elaborated on the need for such aggressive players in world cricket. “Not just in India, but in world cricket, we need guys who are a little bit more aggressive and play the game a little bit harder. We all seem to play in the leagues against each other, and we become quite friendly and friends. I like the way that he’s fierce on the field but a gentleman off the field. He’s also streetwise, a very smart cricketer, and has a great cricket brain. So I think from that point of view, he’s going to be fantastic for them too,” he added.
Former South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis also expressed confidence in Gambhir’s ability to excel in his new role. “It’s great to see Gautam getting into the coaching side of things. He’s got a really good cricket brain. He’ll bring some fire and loves playing the game aggressively. I think he’ll bring that added touch, and the guys will certainly learn a lot from him. He’s got a lot to add and will bring significant value to that Indian side. I wish him all the best—not too much against us, but I’m sure he’ll do a fantastic job,” Kallis remarked.
Echoing similar sentiments, former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi emphasized the potential impact of Gambhir’s straightforward approach. “I think it’s a big opportunity, and we need to see how he makes the most of it. I have seen his interviews, and he talks positively and is very straightforward,” Afridi said.
Gambhir’s appointment marks a significant shift in India’s coaching strategy, aiming to inject fresh energy and a more aggressive mindset into the team. His tenure will begin with the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, where India will play three T20Is and three ODIs starting on July 27. The series will serve as an early test for Gambhir’s coaching philosophy and his ability to galvanize the Indian squad.
The BCCI’s decision to appoint Gambhir comes after a successful run under Rahul Dravid, who led the team to a memorable T20 World Cup victory. As Gambhir steps into this pivotal role, he brings with him a wealth of experience and a reputation for being a fierce competitor on the field. His leadership style, characterized by his aggressive and fearless approach, is expected to resonate well with the current crop of Indian cricketers.
Gambhir’s coaching staff will likely include his preferred choices, with Abhishek Nayar as the assistant coach and former India and Royal Challengers Bengaluru pacer R Vinay Kumar as the bowling coach. This revamped coaching setup aims to build on the foundations laid by Dravid and propel the Indian team to greater heights in the upcoming tournaments.
As India prepares for the Sri Lanka tour, fans and cricket pundits alike will be keenly watching how Gambhir implements his strategies and whether his aggressive coaching style translates into success on the field. The transition period promises to be an exciting chapter in Indian cricket, with Gambhir at the helm steering the team towards future victories.
