Ever since India’s defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, the spotlight has been quite a bit on Gautam Gambhir. The former Indian opener has not had a great start as head coach in Test cricket.
Under him, India started with a 2-0 whitewash against Bangladesh before they lost 0-3 against New Zealand at home (their first Test series defeat at home in 12 years). Post that, they lost 1-3 to Australia. Overall, as Test coach, he has three wins, six losses and one draw. Even in ODI cricket, India lost the only series they played under Gambhir which was in Sri Lanka where they lost 0-2.
Hence, there were some comparisons with Greg Chappell and his style of coaching. However, Robin Uthappa has rubbished all such statements and added that Gambhir’s style is very different to that of Chappell. The former Karnataka star believes that Gambhir is very straightforward as a person and will be very direct with his communication. It is something that he thrives on.
“I disagree with you that his [Gautam Gambhir] style is similar to Greg Chappell’s. I don’t agree with it at all. I have not met a more straightforward person than Gauti. He is very direct. You may not like what he says, but he will tell it you on your face, you can be sure of that and I love people like that. According to me, these people have a good life. They say whatever they are thinking, and that is enough. You get what you see, that is better than being a different person behind someone’s back. I prefer someone being straightforward with me, and Gauti is very, very straight,” Robin Uthappa was quoted saying on Lallantop Sports.
Gambhir has complete control with T20Is: Robin Uthappa
Despite not having the best returns in Tests and ODIs, India have been excellent in T20Is. Suryakumar Yadav was appointed the new T20I captain after the 2024 T20 World Cup when Gambhir took over. Since then, India have managed nine wins and have suffered just one loss.
Thus, Uthappa feels that Gambhir is in total control of the T20I side. He is helping Suryakumar evolve as a leader and it is a format where he has complete freedom.
“He [Gambhir] likes to run the ship and right now after the World Cup and him joining the team, he is joining a side of two different teams, in fact, three different leaders now. You have SKY, Rohit and then the ODI side is Hardik right? It is still Rohit, sorry. There are those different styles he has to adjust to right now, one where he has complete control, with T20Is. He is running the ship and he is taking SKY along and evolving him as a leader. There is freedom there,” Uthappa added.
Gambhir’s next big assignment with India will be the 2025 Champions Trophy. India’s last 50-over ICC trophy came in 2013 when they won the Champions Trophy in England.
