Gambhir hardly...: Gavaskar SLAMS India coach's 'bootlickers', credits Rohit for India's batting revolution

India beat Bangladesh by seven wickets on Day 5 of the second and final Test, on Oct 1, to win the recently-held two-match series 2-0. The match displayed Rohit Sharma's excellent captaincy as he inspired his side to push for a win after Day 2 and 3 were completely washed out due to rain and wet outfield. Opting to bowl first, India had reduced the Bangla Tigers to107/3 in a rain-marred opening day and the game resumed on the penultimate day, which saw the visitors folding up for 233 in Kanpur. In reply, India batted with aggression to declare at 285-9, in 33.4 overs, with a lead of 52. Eventually, India folded Bangladesh for 146 in their second essay and easily chased down the 95-run target to inflict a series whitewash.

Following the series win, critics hailed Rohit and head coach Gautam Gambhir for instilling fearlessness among the Indian batters. Many solely credited Gambhir for inspiring India's refreshing change in approach with the bat. However, it hasn't been well received by former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar. Gavaskar feels the sole credit goes to captain Rohit, who has been showing the way to the Indian batters since taking charge of the national side.

Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar, "While one paper called the Indian batting “Bossball” because the captain or “boss” of the team, Rohit, had shown the way, some from the old powers referred to it as “Gamball” after the Indian coach, Gautam Gambhir. While the England batting approach changed completely under the new regime of Ben Stokes and McCullum, we have seen over the last couple of years that Rohit has been batting like this and encouraging his team to do so as well."

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'Attributing this approach to Gambhir is foot-licking of the highest quality'

"Gambhir has only been coaching for a couple of months, so attributing this approach to him is foot-licking of the highest quality. Gambhir himself hardly ever batted in this fashion like McCullum used to do. If any credit is due, it is solely to Rohit and nobody else,” he further mentioned.

Gavaskar added, "Instead of using the words this-ball or that-ball, I would suggest using the skipper’s first name, Rohit, and term it the “Gohit” approach. Hopefully, brainier people will come up with a trendier name for this rather than the lazy option of calling it after “Bazball”."

At present, Rohit is enjoying his break before the New Zealand home Test series, starting on Oct 16 in Bengaluru. Meanwhile, Gambhir is involved in India's three T20Is versus Bangladesh.