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Former Pakistan cricketer Tanvir Ahmed criticized the appointment of Gautam Gambhir as the new head coach of the Indian National Cricket Team, suggesting that Gambhir’s inclusion may have been influenced by factors other than merit. In cricketing circles, the term ‘parchi’ — which translates to ‘receipt’ — is often used derogatorily to imply that someone has secured a position not based on performance but due to favoritism or other non-meritocratic reasons.
The Indian cricket landscape underwent a transition following the T20 World Cup 2024, as Rahul Dravid concluded his tenure, paving the way for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to select a new coach. Amidst speculation since the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL), Gautam Gambhir emerged as a leading candidate, bolstered by his mentorship of the victorious Kolkata Knight Riders during the season. Despite other contenders such as VVS Laxman and WV Raman, Gambhir’s association with KKR, where he played a pivotal role in rejuvenating the team’s fortunes, likely influenced the BCCI’s decision.
This marks Gambhir’s inaugural coaching role at the helm of any team, having previously served as a mentor for Lucknow Super Giants and KKR. His appointment signals a shift in leadership within the Indian cricket coaching setup, with expectations high for Gambhir to leverage his cricketing acumen and leadership experience effectively.
Tanvir Ahmed expressed his discontent over Gautam Gambhir’s appointment as the head coach of the Indian team, suggesting that VVS Laxman, who has had a longstanding association with the team, would have been a more suitable choice. Ahmed took to his Twitter account to share his views on the matter.
“VVS Laxman ko indian team ka head caoch hona chahiye tha kyun k woh india B k sath kafi time say head coach kam kar raha ha lagta ha Gautham Gambhir parchi par aya ha. (Roughly translates to – VVS Laxman should have been the head coach of the Indian team as he was working for a long time with the India B team. Feels like Gautam Gambhir hasn’t been selected based on merit.”
Gautam Gambhir’s maiden task as head coach of Team India will commence with the upcoming Sri Lanka tour. The team is scheduled to engage in a three-match T20I series and a three-match ODI series against the island nation, beginning on July 27th.
