Gautam Gambhir, who coached India to their 2011 World Cup win, asked if his coaching approach and how he relates to players is working for the team.
Gambhir took over as India’s head coach in June 2024 from Rahul Dravid. Since then, India’s Test cricket has gone downhill. They lost to New Zealand at home and to Australia away. Now they are on the verge of losing another series, they need to win the fourth Test against England in Manchester. They are 1-2 down after losing the Lord’s Test by 22 runs. Gambhir’s only trophy as a coach so far is the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
Kirsten, who coached India from 2008 to 2011, shared his thoughts on Gambhir’s character, having worked with him closely.
“I don’t really know Gautam Gambhir as a coach. But I really liked Gautam as a player. He’s a tough guy, which is good. I think he’s very strong, Kirsten told Rediff.
“But he has his own way of doing things. The key thing is: Does that way of doing things work with the Indian players? That’s what matters, Kirsten said.
“He’s done well in the IPL. I remember when we split the one-day and Test teams, we made him the one-day captain against New Zealand before going to South Africa. He did great, the former South Africa opener said.
Gambhir famously scored 97 runs in the 2011 World Cup final against Sri Lanka, helping India recover after the early dismissals of Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar. He first had an 83-run partnership with Virat Kohli (who scored 35), before building a 109-run stand with MS Dhoni, who remained unbeaten on 91 to guide India to victory.
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As a coach, Gambhir led Kolkata Knight Riders to the Indian Premier League title in 2024 as a mentor.
“He’s done well in the IPL. I remember when we split the one-day and Test teams and made him the one-day captain against New Zealand before going to South Africa. And he did a great job,” Kirsten recalled. “I don’t know enough about how things are going or how he’s doing with the players. But he’s very good in cricket.”“Let’s hope he’s getting what he needs and the players are starting to gel with him and understand his way and if he can bring something to the team.”
