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Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) President Snehashish Ganguly has voiced his support for India’s Head Coach Gautam Gambhir, urging fans and critics to exercise patience amidst the team’s recent poor performances.
Gambhir, who took over the reins from Rahul Dravid, came with an impressive resume, including leading the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to their 2024 Indian Premier League title. However, his tenure as India’s head coach has been challenging, particularly in the ODI and Test formats.
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Gambhir’s Tough Start
India has endured several disappointing results under Gambhir’s leadership:
- ODI Series Loss to Sri Lanka: India’s first series defeat to Sri Lanka in 27 years.
- Home Test Series Against New Zealand: A historic whitewash, India’s first at home in 24 years.
- Border-Gavaskar Trophy Defeat: India’s first series loss to Australia in a decade.
These setbacks have placed Gambhir under intense scrutiny, with questions raised about his strategies and team management.
Ganguly’s Take
Despite the criticism, Ganguly believes Gambhir has the skills to turn things around, citing his success with KKR as a testament to his abilities.
“I feel happy because of his approach. As a coach, he got success for KKR after 12 years. We should give him some time. It has been some months since he has been handling the team after Rahul Dravid,” Ganguly told ANI.
Reports of a rift within the Indian dressing room have also surfaced, further complicating matters for Gambhir. Ganguly, however, remains optimistic about the coach’s potential to stabilize the team and bring success.
Focus Shifts to England Series and Champions Trophy
India now turns its attention to the upcoming white-ball series against England, which serves as a crucial preparatory phase for the Champions Trophy 2025.
- The series kicks off with a five-match T20I series, starting on January 22 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
- It will be followed by a three-match ODI series, where senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are expected to return.
Shami’s Return Sparks Optimism
A bright spot for India is the return of their 2023 ODI World Cup hero, Mohammed Shami, who will play his first international game in over a year. Ganguly expressed his excitement about seeing Shami back in action, particularly on his home turf at Eden Gardens.
“The most important thing is the whole Kolkata crowd will be watching Mohammed Shami. He came back after a year and bowled very well for Bengal. I was observing his bowling, and he seemed to be in great shape. He looks like the old Mohammed Shami—fit and raring to go,” said Ganguly.
Looking Ahead
While India’s recent struggles have raised questions, Ganguly’s faith in Gambhir’s leadership and the return of key players offer hope. The upcoming series against England will be critical in setting the tone for the Champions Trophy, where redemption will be India’s primary goal.
Can Gambhir and Team India bounce back? All eyes will be on Eden Gardens as the Men in Blue begin their journey.
