Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as head coach of Team India did not get off to a promising start. Expectations were high from the former India opener when he replaced Rahul Dravid as head coach in July last year.
The Indian great was hired by the BCCI after his success as a coach in the IPL. Under his mentorship, Kolkata Knight Riders played an exciting kind of cricket and won the IPL after a gap of ten years. However, things have not gone as expected for Gautam Gambhir ever since he became India’s chief coach.
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India lost the ODI series in Sri Lanka under him. This was followed by a humiliating 3-0 Test series defeat at home to New Zealand. It was India’s first Test series defeat at home since the 2012/13 season. India had a chance to bounce back by winning the Test series in Australia, but they were thoroughly outplayed as they lost the series 3-1.
The defeat ended India’s chances of qualifying for the World Test Cup final for the third time in a row. India also lost the Test series against Australia for the first time since 2017. Unsurprisingly, Gautam Gambhir is facing heat from several quarters.
Brendon McCullum defends Gautam Gambhir:
As India’s chief coach looks to recover, he has received much-needed support from his England counterpart Brendon McCullum.
Speaking to the media ahead of the first T20I between India and England, McCullum defended Gautam Gambhir and hailed him as an outstanding leader. He also said that Gambhir is just getting started as a head coach, implying that it is too early to judge him.
“Gautam Gambhir is an outstanding leader. For India, he is just getting started as head coach,” Brendon McCullum said.
After defending Gambhir, McCullum focused on the upcoming series against India. England are scheduled to play 5 T20Is and 3 ODIs against the Men in Blue. The tour will begin with the T20I series this week.
Ahead of the series, McCullum praised India as a very good side, but also made sure to issue a warning to the hosts. The former New Zealand captain warned India not to take England’s batting line-up lightly, saying: “India is a very good side. But our batting line-up is as powerful as any in world cricket.”
He also said England will not shy away from playing an exciting brand of cricket, saying: “We will play a very watchable style of cricket.”
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Meanwhile, the first T20I between India and England will take place on Wednesday (January 22) at the Eden Gardens.
