After Dravid, Gambhir Becomes a Fan of Rohit’s Captaincy:
Following Rahul Dravid, India’s newly appointed coach, Gautam Gambhir, praised Rohit Sharma. He explained why Rohit stands out among other captains. Gambhir was speaking alongside Virat Kohli during an interview.
On the eve of the two-match Test series between India and Bangladesh, Gautam Gambhir, the new head coach of Team India, openly discussed his relationship with captain Rohit Sharma. For Gambhir, the captain is central to a team’s success. While the coach plays a significant role, the ultimate responsibility lies with the leader on the field. Gambhir believes Rohit’s leadership qualities have earned him immense respect in the dressing room, which is essential for any successful leader.
In an interview with JioCinema, Gambhir said, “Ultimately, the team belongs to the captain as he leads on the field. Rohit’s leadership and respect in the dressing room are crucial. He is a wonderful person, and the respect he commands in the dressing room is the most important quality of a leader. I had a great relationship with him when we played together, and he was a fantastic person even then. I hope that continues in the future.”
Gambhir acknowledged that disagreements in strategy or decision-making are inevitable but strongly believes that the final call should always rest with the captain. For Gambhir, respect and support for the captain are non-negotiable. He emphasized, “There will be disagreements, but the final decision must be the captain’s.” Gambhir also talked about his coaching philosophy, his close relationships with senior players, and his journey from being a player to becoming a mentor and now the head coach.
Having shared the field with many of the current senior players, Gambhir’s familiarity with their personalities and careers, as he admitted, makes his role somewhat easier. He said, “Yes, it does help to some extent.” Gambhir reflected on his playing days with key players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Jasprit Bumrah, each of whom he has seen become pillars of Indian cricket.
For Gambhir, this shared history fosters a sense of ease and understanding. He remarked, “Even though Rohit didn’t have the best start, he received support and has become a crucial player. Virat transformed Indian cricket with his fitness culture. Ashwin is dedicated to being the world’s best spinner, and Bumrah has risen to the top of world bowling. Their experience will be invaluable for the younger generation.” Gambhir is well aware of the challenges involved in selecting the playing XI from a pool of immense talent.
Due to India’s strong bench strength, leaving players out of the team is never easy. However, Gambhir believes that the focus should be on selecting the right combination to meet the team’s needs rather than merely excluding players. He stated, “Choosing eleven players means others have to wait for their chances.” But for Gambhir, the solution lies in clear and direct communication with the players. He said, “It’s about picking the players who best fulfill the team’s requirements.”
He emphasized the importance of alignment between the coach, captain, and selectors to avoid confusion or mixed messages. This communication becomes even more critical when players are dropped or left out of the team, which Gambhir understands can be challenging for any player. He explained, “Our goal is to provide the right support and communication to left-out players, understanding their vulnerabilities.”
Stay tuned to Times Now Navbharat for the latest national and world updates. For fresh cricket news and the latest on Budget 2024, follow Times Now Navbharat.
