Love him or hate him, but you can’t ignore Gautam Gambhir. Since his cricketing days, he has been a mystery to many. He speaks his mind, gives strong opinions, and has the power to change players’ careers with his straightforward approach. Gambhir showed glimpses of his coaching skills in the Indian Premier League before the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chose him to replace Rahul Dravid as the head coach. This was a huge shift in leadership.
A Winning Start
Gambhir’s selection decisions, strategies, and fearless approach helped Team India win the ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai. For most coaches, winning an ICC title is the ultimate goal, but for Gambhir, it is just the beginning of a bigger plan.
A Tough Beginning
Becoming India’s head coach was not easy for Gambhir. His style was very different from his predecessor, Rahul Dravid. When India played against Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and Australia, many doubted the BCCI’s decision to appoint Gambhir.
But when the Champions Trophy in Dubai came, Gambhir proved himself. This tournament was crucial not just for him but also for senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Just like he did as a player in high-pressure matches—such as the 2007 T20 World Cup final and the 2011 ODI World Cup final—he delivered again. The whole world took notice.
A Smart Strategist
Gambhir made bold moves by adding young pacer Harshit Rana to the ODI team, even though he had played only one series. He also gave Varun Chakravarthy his ODI debut against England, thinking ahead for the Champions Trophy. His decisions were questioned, and some even accused him of ruining careers.
But Gambhir let the results speak for themselves. Both Varun Chakravarthy and Harshit Rana proved him right by performing well. Once again, critics had to admit they were wrong.
While many thought Gambhir was only good at guiding young players, he also handled experienced players like Rohit and Virat well. His coaching methods might not have been widely accepted at first, but his success proved his abilities.
Always Hungry for More
After winning the Champions Trophy, most people would take a break and celebrate. But not Gambhir. He has already started preparing for the next challenge. Surprisingly, he has decided to travel with India’s ‘A’ team to England for a red-ball series before the senior team arrives for their five-match Test series.
Many believe this Indian team is the best ODI team ever, with stars like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Mohammed Shami, and Ravindra Jadeja leading the way. But Gambhir is already looking for the next generation of Indian cricket stars.
