Former Australian cricket captain Tim Paine has expressed concerns about the coaching style of Gautam Gambhir, who took over as head coach of the Indian cricket team after Rahul Dravid.
Paine believes Gambhir’s “prickly” demeanour could be detrimental to the team’s performance, especially if they face early setbacks in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Team India’s preperation for BGT is in full swing
India, having suffered a surprising 0-3 series defeat at home to New Zealand, are scheduled to play a five-Test series against Australia, starting on November 22 in Perth.
Paine, speaking on SEN Radio, drew a comparison between Gambhir and India’s previous coach, Ravi Shastri, highlighting the contrasting approaches.
“Their last two series wins out here they had Ravi Shastri who was fantastic. He created a great environment, the players were energised, they played with passion, he sold them the dream and motivated them in a really light-hearted enjoyable way.”
Paine went on to describe Gambhir’s coaching style as intense and competitive, which, while not inherently negative, might not align well with the Indian team’s dynamics.
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“They (India) have gone to a new coach now that is really prickly, really competitive -– and that not to say that’s not a good thing and a good way to coach -– but my concern is that it’s not a great fit for the Indian cricket team.”
Paine’s apprehensions stem from a recent incident involving Gambhir and former Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting. Ponting, now a commentator, had commented on the declining form of Indian batsman Virat Kohli, which prompted a sharp response from Gambhir.
“If your coach is the first one to crack in a press conference after being asked a simple question, it could be a really long summer for Gautam Gambhir if India don’t get off to a good start on Perth.”
Paine interpreted this exchange as a sign of Gambhir’s potential inability to handle pressure gracefully, a concern he deemed more significant than the current form of senior Indian batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
“I don’t love it. It’s not a good sign I think, because all he was asked was a very simple question. I think he’s maybe looking at Ricky still as someone he’s playing against.”
Paine emphasised that Ponting’s role as a commentator necessitates expressing opinions, and his assessment of Kohli’s form was accurate.
“But Ricky is a commentator now – he’s paid to give an opinion, and his opinion was spot on. Virat has been sliding, it is a concern, absolutely.”
Paine concluded by reiterating his primary concern: Gambhir’s temperament and its potential impact on the Indian team.
“But 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.”
