BGT 2024-25: 'He sold them...,' Former Australia skipper Tim Paine on Gambhir vs Shastri as India coach

Former Australia skipper Tim Paine thinks that Gautam Gambhir isn't a good fit as a coach for the Indian cricket team. The comments come as both sides get ready for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy which gets underway in less than a week's time. Paine also cited Ravi Shastri's example to support his argument. It was under Shastri that India won their last two Test series in Australia.

“Their last two series wins out here they had Ravi Shastri who was fantastic. He created a great environment, the players were energised, they played with passion, he sold them the dream and motivated them in a really light-hearted enjoyable way," Paine said while talking on SEN Radio.

“They (India) have gone to a new coach now that is really prickly, really competitive -- and that not to say that's not a good thing and a good way to coach -- but my concern is that it's not a great fit for the Indian cricket team.

“If your coach is the first one to crack in a press conference after being asked a simple question, it could be a really long summer for Gautam Gambhir if India don't get off to a good start on Perth,” he added.

Gambhir, after 0-3 whitewash at home in a Test series against New Zealand, is slightly under pressure as the Australia tour begins.

India's tour of Australia begins on November 22 in Perth before the day-night second Test in Adelaide from December 6-10. The third Test will be played at the Gabba in Brisbane from December 14-18 before the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from December 26-30. The last and final Test will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) from January 3-7.