Team India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir has slammed at critics in his trademark style. Gambhir also took a dig at some former players as well. Ever since his appointment, many raised questions about his approach including some former cricketers-turned-commentators.
However, after Team India lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia 3-1 and failed to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final, questions were raised about his credibility as coach. Before the BGT, India lost a home Test series to New Zealand 3-0, their first defeat on home soil since 2013 as well. However, Gambhit gave a befitting reply to his critics with a Champions Trophy win in Dubai in February as well.
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Speaking at the ABP India At 2047 Summit, Gambhir said, “When I took up this job, I knew there would always be ups and downs. My job is to make the country proud, not please a few individuals sitting in air-conditioned commentary boxes. Some people sitting in the commentary box for 25 years think Indian cricket is their family fiefdom. It’s not. It belongs to the people of India. I’m not a coach of any cozy club or lobby. I don’t believe in playing politics. I’m here to build a team that plays fearlessly and with pride.”
Meanwhile, Gautam Gambhir didn’t hold back while talking about those who criticise from the outsside. He also said that Indian cricket should be run by only Indians committed to the country, not those who are living overseas and commenting from afar.
“Commentators should realise, cricket kisi ki jaagir nahi hai (cricket is not anyone’s private property). These people go abroad and become NRIs. I will stay in India and pay my taxes here,” he said.
However, when he was asked if he misses his former role at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Gambhir gave a straight reply as well.
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“Honestly, not. I have a far bigger responsibility to take Indian cricket forward.”
However, when he was asked which cricketer’s body he would enter if given a chance, Gambhir shared Virat Kohli’s name as he is considered as one of the fittest sportspeople in the world as well.
“It would be Virat Kohli’s, because he is the fittest player on the team,” Gautam Gambhir concluded.
