Gautam Gambhir to unleash ‘rare’ power after Virat Kohli’s Test retirement, report says ‘he was categorical…’
New Delhi: Several Indian cricket coaches, including Greg Chappell and Anil Kumble, faced challenges asserting authority over players. However, Gautam Gambhir appears poised to achieve a level of influence exceeding that of the team captain, a rarity in Indian cricket history. Past instances demonstrate the limitations of powerful coaches who underestimated player influence; successful coaches like John Wright, Gary Kirsten, and Ravi Shastri, conversely, understood the need for a more collaborative approach.
The Indian Test team’s recent loss of veteran players Kohli, Sharma, and Ashwin creates an opportunity for Gambhir to implement his strategic vision.
According to BCCI sources, Gautam Gambhir aimed to eliminate the emphasis on star players within the team.
“The Gautam Gambhir era begins now. He was categorical that during the next WTC cycle, India need to have fresh faces,” a BCCI source told PTI on the condition of anonymity.
“Everyone, associated with decision making knew where Gambhir stood in terms of carrying seniors in the longest format. Obviously his and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar’s thoughts aligned,” he added.
Indian cricket captains historically hold significant authority, often superseding even the most influential coaches.
Ganguly, Dhoni, Kohli, and Sharma each held ultimate authority within their respective national teams.
Gambhir now holds ultimate authority and decision-making power.
The captaincy pairing of Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma, while short-lived, was notable. This contrasts with the partnership between Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir, which was reportedly less harmonious.
Gambhir and Kohli reconciled, with influential figures facilitating the agreement.
A coach has successfully implemented a rapid replacement of prominent players, a previously unprecedented occurrence.
During India’s cricket team transition, Gautam Gambhir reportedly urged the BCCI to grant him greater authority to prevent future series losses like those against Australia and New Zealand.
Shubman Gill’s youth and relative inexperience mean he’s likely to be receptive to captain Gautam Gambhir’s guidance, at least initially. While Gill shows immense potential, he hasn’t yet established the seniority to challenge Gambhir’s leadership choices.
Jasprit Bumrah’s potential to offer independent leadership has been undermined by recurring fitness issues.
Going forward, Gautam Gambhir will have significant authority, mirroring his role in the T20 team. However, his influence in ODIs will be more limited, as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are expected to remain key players until the 2027 World Cup.
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