Former India Captain Supports Gambhir’s Straight-Talking Approach
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has thrown his support behind Gautam Gambhir, the current Indian cricket coach, amid scrutiny over his straight-talking approach during press conferences. Following India’s 0-3 series loss to New Zealand at home, the team faces immense pressure ahead of the crucial Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Gambhir, who has had a mixed start to his coaching tenure, has also come under the spotlight.
During a pre-departure press conference before the Australia tour, Gambhir was asked to comment on Australian legend Ricky Ponting’s views on Virat Kohli’s recent form. The Indian head coach backed his player, telling Ponting to focus on the Australian team, a response that did not sit well with a few in the cricket fraternity. Ponting, in turn, labeled Gambhir as a “prickly character.”
“It is the way he is. Let him be. When he won the IPL, he was the same, you were going gaga over him. Just because he has lost three test matches and a one-day series against Sri Lanka, the straight talk has not been looked at nicely. But that is the way he is,” Ganguly told Revzsports.
Ganguly, who has played alongside Gambhir in the past, has now come to the defense of his former teammate. The former India captain said that everyone was praising Gambhir when he led Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL title this year, but the same straight-talking approach is now being criticized after a few losses.
Ganguly Supports Gambhir’s Approach
Ganguly, who has captained the Indian team against Australia in the past, asserted that the former Australian players have always been tough on the Indians, and Gambhir is doing nothing wrong in his approach.
“Australians, from the time I have watched cricket, they have been tough for you. They have played their cricket that way, whether it was Waugh, Ponting or Hayden. So, there is nothing wrong with what Gambhir has said. That is the way he is and he fights, he competes so let us give him a chance. It has just been two-three months and you are passing a judgement on him,” he added.
Australia has not won a Border-Gavaskar Trophy in the past decade, but they will still be the favorites to win the upcoming series after India’s embarrassing defeat against New Zealand. Ganguly’s support for Gambhir’s straight-talking approach is a reminder that the former cricketer is not afraid to voice his opinions, a trait that has often been both praised and criticized in the world of cricket.
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