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Gautam Gambhir Replaced Rahul Dravid: The Gautam Gambhir era in Indian cricket began with the recent tour of Sri Lanka. While India emerged victorious in the T20I series, they fell short in the ODI series. Following this, the Indian cricket team will have a long break before embarking on a Test series against Bangladesh, starting September 19. This series will be Gambhir first significant challenge as he steps into his new role.
Rishabh Pant, a key player for India and former teammate of Gambhir in Delhi cricket, shared his insights on the changes Gambhir might bring to the Indian team. In an interview, Pant was asked about the biggest changes Gambhir might introduce and how these could propel Indian cricket forward.
Pant highlighted the contrast between Gambhir’s and Rahul Dravid coaching styles. Rahul bhai was very balanced both as a person and as a coach. This balance can have its pros and cons in cricket, as the positives and negatives depend on the individual focus. Gauti bhai (Gambhir) is more aggressive and single-minded about the goal of winning. finding the right balance and striving for improvement is crucial and that’s a significant aspect of international cricket.
Pant also emphasized the importance of not underestimating Bangladesh in the upcoming Test series. He warned against complacency, noting that Bangladesh recently defeated Pakistan 2-0 in Rawalpindi. India first Test against Bangladesh will be held in Chennai starting September 19, followed by the second Test in Kanpur.
Looking ahead, India will play a total of 10 Tests over the next five months. This includes the Bangladesh series, followed by three Tests against New Zealand at home from October to November and then the five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
Pant stressed the need for the Indian team to remain focused and improve continuously. Asian teams like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka perform well in their home conditions because they are used to those pitches,” he noted. As the Indian cricket team, our focus is on maintaining high standards and improving ourselves. Regardless of the opposition, we aim to play with the same intensity and give our best every day.
He also pointed out that no series should be taken lightly due to the diminishing margins between teams in international cricket. The pressure will always be there. You can’t take any series lightly because the difference between winning and losing is very small. The gap between international teams is also quite narrow these days,” Pant said.
Finally, Pant mentioned that participating in the Duleep Trophy before a busy Test season will provide players with valuable match practice. Additionally, it will benefit young cricketers at the domestic level to have international stars competing alongside them.
Pant on Bangladesh Tests
Gautam Gambhir is set for a demanding Test season, with the Indian team scheduled to play 10 Tests between September and January. Their upcoming series against Bangladesh begins on September 19 and Gambhir leadership will be tested as India faces a rigorous schedule.
Rishabh Pant emphasized the importance of not underestimating any opponent. With Bangladesh arriving on the back of a historic Test series win in Pakistan, Pant stressed that the focus should be on improving India’s own performance. Asian teams like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka thrive in their home conditions because they are used to those pitches,” Pant noted.
He added, “Our focus is on maintaining high standards and enhancing our strengths. Regardless of the opposition, we aim to play with the same intensity and give our best every day. In a recent match, Pant was dismissed for just 7 runs, but Musheer Khan brilliant century rescued India B on Thursday.
India Return to action Later this Month
India will resume Test cricket in late September with a two-Test series against the formidable Bangladesh, who recently achieved a historic 2-0 series victory over Pakistan in their own backyard.
Rishabh Pant is almost certain to return to the Test squad for this series. it will be intriguing to see if Dhruv Jurel, who impressed with both his wicketkeeping and batting during India’s previous Test series in England, will keep his place in the team.
Virender Sehwag on what Stopping him, says Gautam Gambhir Role ‘not Challenging
Virender Sehwag, the former Indian opener, has expressed a keen interest in coaching within the Indian Premier League (IPL) but is less enthusiastic about taking on a role with the Indian men cricket team. Since retiring from professional cricket in 2015, Sehwag has previously served as a mentor for the Punjab Kings (formerly Kings XI Punjab) until 2018. which was his closest stint in an IPL coaching role. With rumors suggesting that his former teammates Yuvraj Singh and Rahul Dravid might be returning to coaching roles with the Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals respectively for IPL 2025, Sehwag is open to exploring similar opportunities with any of the 10 IPL franchises if they arise.
Sehwag interest in IPL coaching is largely driven by the nature of the job. The IPL, spanning about two months, offers a manageable work-life balance compared to the demanding schedule of the Indian national team. In contrast, the Indian cricket team calendar involves extensive travel, often keeping players on the road for eight to nine months a year. This heavy travel load was a key factor behind former coaches Ravi Shastri and Rahul Dravid stepping down from their roles in 2021 and 2024, respectively.
Sehwag acknowledges the challenges of the head coach position for the Indian team, noting that the demanding travel schedule would significantly impact his personal life. If I become the head coach of the Indian team, I would be back to the same routine I experienced for 15 years. The extensive travel required for the role would be difficult, specially given that my children, aged 14 and 16, are deeply involved in cricket themselves. My son is an opening batter and my daughter is an off-spinner, both playing for Delhi. Being away from them would be a significant challenge.
In summary, while Sehwag is open to taking on a coaching or mentoring role within the IPL, he is cautious about committing to a position with the Indian team due to the potential impact on his family life.
The challenge for players is bigger than Gambhir
Virender Sehwag recent interest in coaching comes a few months after his former opening partner Gautam Gambhir was appointed as the head coach of the Indian team. Gambhir tenure began with mixed results. while India triumphed 3-0 in T20Is against Sri Lanka, they lost the ODI series 0-2. Despite this, Gambhir faces a challenging road ahead, with key tournaments such as the Champions Trophy, World Test Championship and T20 World Cup at home, along with the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia later this year.
Gambhir contract extends through the 2027 World Cup, marking a three-year term that will see India tested frequently. Sehwag believes that Gambhir role might not be as daunting due to the presence of established players and a strong support staff, including Morne Morkel and Abhishek Nayar. The role might not be as challenging because the team is filled with professionals who know their roles well,” Sehwag said. Gambhir presence will provide clarity, which could reduce the challenges for him and place more focus on the players to excel in upcoming major tournaments.
What you can learn about leadership from Rahul Dravid and Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir taking over from Rahul Dravid as the coach of the Indian men cricket team might seem like the transition from a calm, composed leader to a fiery, outspoken one. both Gambhir and Dravid transcend these stereotypes and bring unique qualities to their roles. Despite their differing leadership styles, both have demonstrated their ability to achieve success as coaches.
In 2023, Dravid led India to two ICC finals and coached them to victory in the T20 World Cup in the West Indies. This achievement came shortly after Gambhir. who had previously led the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to their first IPL title in 2014, guided the team to another IPL championship this year.
On Teacher Day, My Kolkata explores the valuable leadership lessons we can learn from both Dravid and Gambhir. By examining their approaches and successes, we can uncover insights on how to apply effective leadership principles in our own lives.
