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Team India Head Coach Gautam Gambhir has been amid heavy criticism after comments made on Ricky Ponting’s remarks. Gambhir, who addressed the media prior to Team India’s departure for Australia for the five-match Test series against Australia, had hit back at Ponting after the latter highlighted the poor run of form of senior batters like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
However, the former Australia captain clarified his statement after comments from Gambhir, former Australia wicketkeeper-batter Tim Paine also opened up, sharing his stance on the matter. Moreover, Paine also questioned India’s pick of roping Gambhir as their coach, adding, “for me now, the biggest concern for India right now isn’t Rohit Sharma’s batting, isn’t Virat Kohli’s batting, it’s their coach and his ability to stay calm under pressure.”
Sourav Ganguly defends Gautam Gambhir’s comments amid heavy criticism
After comments from several former cricketers, former India captain and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President, Sourav Ganguly has come out in support of Gambhir. Speaking with RevSportz, Ganguly said, “All I will say is let him be. I saw some criticism of what he said in the press conference. It is the way he is. Let him be. When he won the IPL, he was the same. You were going gaga over him. Just because he has lost three Test matches and a one-day series against Sri Lanka, the straight talk has not been looked at nicely. But that is the way he is.”
'And why not? Australians, from the time I have watched cricket, they have been tough for you. They have played their cricket that way, whether it was [Steve] Waugh, [Ricky] Ponting or [Matthew] Hayden. So, there is nothing wrong with what Gambhir has said. That is the way he is, and he fights. He competes, so let us give him a chance. It has just been two or three months, and you are passing judgment on him,' Ganguly added.
Moreover, Ganguly also emphasised on Gambhir to express himself the way he wants after the Team India Heach Coach’s style of speaking also became a subject of debate. “No problem whatsoever. Let him say whatever he likes, for that will help him. Ultimately you have to go and play the game hard. That is the way it is, and it has happened for ages against Australian cricket teams. That makes this series even more competitive and even more followed by people. So let it be. Let's give Gambhir a chance. You have given him a job. In two months, you cannot pass a judgment on him,' Ganguly concluded.
It is to be noted that during Gambhir’s coaching stint so far, India has lost two series, one against Sri Lanka, followed by the 0-3 drubbing at home in Test cricket against New Zealand. After India’s series whitewash against New Zealand, there were also reports surfacing of Gambhir and VVS Laxman being designated with particular formats. However, at the moment all stands still with India next looking to take on Australia in the highly-anticipated Test series, starting from November 22.
