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An old video featuring Anil Kumble has resurfaced, where the legendary India spinner discusses Gautam Gambhir’s potential appointment as India’s head coach. Kumble emphasized Gambhir’s wealth of experience but noted the importance of allowing him time to build rapport with the players.
Recently, Gautam Gambhir was appointed as India’s new head coach following Rahul Dravid’s successful tenure that culminated in India’s T20 World Cup victory in Barbados.
Sources indicate that Gambhir, along with WV Raman, was a contender for the role, with Gambhir ultimately gaining the nod from the board. His stint as mentor for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2024, where he guided them to their first title in a decade, likely bolstered his credentials for the prestigious national coaching position.
Anil Kumble’s past remarks on Gautam Gambhir as India’s head coach are trending.
In a recent interview with ESPNCricinfo, Anil Kumble commented on Gautam Gambhir’s potential appointment, highlighting the need for Gambhir to be allowed time to adapt to the role of India’s head coach. Kumble expressed confidence in Gambhir’s abilities but cautioned that coaching Team India differs significantly from other teams.
“You will have to give him time. He certainly is capable. We have seen Gautam (Gambhir) handle teams. He has been the captain for India, for his franchise, for Delhi. So he has all the credentials to be that. But Indian team coaching is slightly different. You will have to give him time to settle in. In case he does take up the job or does get to him, he will have the task of sort of looking at not just the current lot but also the future of Indian cricket,” Kumble had said.
Working with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma won’t be a challenge – Anil Kumble
Regarding the challenge of Gautam Gambhir working with former teammates like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Anil Kumble indicated that it shouldn’t pose a major obstacle. The cricketing legend emphasized the importance for the new head coach to manage tough situations and make decisive calls when necessary.
“I think few sort of players have been a part of the system in some form or the other. Whether you’re a coach or a player, you’ve played with them or been associated with the team in some form or the other. I don’t think it certainly matters that much but what you need to certainly look at is the kind of candidature you’re going to pick and not necessarily go with this particular player or this particular coach,” Kumble stated.
“The coaches have had a background of playing with the players and suddenly that sort of coming in the way or not coming in the way. So I think it’s important to choose the right candidate in terms of what they can bring to the Indian team and someone who and someone who has the credibility to handle certain situations in the game and someone who takes those calls,” he added.
Anil Kumble previously served as India’s head coach starting in 2016, but his tenure ended abruptly following India’s unexpected loss to Pakistan in the 2017 Champions Trophy final. Reports surfaced of tensions between Kumble and then-captain Virat Kohli during that time.
