Dinesh Karthik has expressed confidence in Gautam Gambhir’s leadership style, suggesting that his aggressive demeanour often stems from a desire to protect his players. Reflecting on Gambhir’s recent confrontation with Virat Kohli during the IPL 2023, Karthik pointed out that the clash occurred because Gambhir was defending his player, Naveen-ul-Haq, against Kohli.
Known for his on-field altercations with players like Shahid Afridi and Kamran Akmal, Gambhir has always stood firm when it comes to his team. Karthik believes this protective attitude could be a major asset for the Indian squad.
“His aggression generally comes out in protection of his players, and that is something the current lot of players will enjoy,” Dinesh Karthik remarked during a Legends League Cricket event. He added that Gambhir’s straightforward approach, though sometimes stern, could inspire players to perform at their best.
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“He’s not someone who gets angry for the heck of it. I’m sure he will have his turn with strong words when necessary, but it’s all in the interest of getting the best out of the players,” Karthik noted.
Gautam Gambhir has made a name for himself as a mentor for IPL teams like the Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders. However, the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh presents a new challenge for him as a coach, especially since he has yet to navigate the intricacies of Test cricket in a coaching role.
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Dinesh Karthik is eager to see how Gambhir adapts to this fresh responsibility. “This Test series will be completely new for him as a coach, and it must be playing at the back of his mind. He’s got the acumen to understand the pulse of the game, which is crucial. He’s at an early stage in his coaching career, so it will be interesting to see how it pans out. But I have confidence in his ability to deliver,” Karthik added.