New Delhi, India

Former India captain and BCCIpresident Sourav Ganguly backed head coach Gautam Gambhir to lead the side to glory Down Under despite the latest setbacks. Following Rahul Dravid’s departure as the top boss in June this year, the Indian board appointed Gambhir as his replacement till December 2027. 

Advertisment

Considering Gambhir’s credentials as a mentor that helped his former IPL team KKR to win the title this year, their third overall, the fans expected the same turnaround for the Men in Blue, which was far from what unfolded. 

ALSO READ: BGT 2024/25: Glenn McGrath urges Australian bowlers to go hard at ‘emotional and down’ Virat Kohli

Under Gambhir, India won the T20I series against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh but suffered defeat in the bilateral ODI series against the Lankans for the first time in 27 years before surrendering to New Zealand at home (0-3) in three Tests, a dark moment in Indian cricket.

Advertisment

Ganguly, who knows what pressure Gambhir must be under while heading to Australia, where they have to win 4-0 or better to qualify directly for the WTC Final 2025, said it is too early to evaluate Gambhir’s coaching run, urging fans to be patient with his style and bestow trust upon him.

"All I will say is let him be. I saw some criticism of what he said in the press conference. It is the way he is. Just because he has lost three Test matches and a one-day series against Sri Lanka, the straight talk has not been looked at nicely. But that is the way he is. Let’s give Gambhir a chance," Gambhir said in a chat with Revsportz.

Ganguly defends Gambhir’s approach

Advertisment

Gambhir is straightforward in his approach, both in cricket and otherwise too. 

Lately, before flying Down Under, he addressed the media in Mumbai, and upon being asked about his take on Ricky Ponting’s comments on Virat and Rohit’s form leading into the BGT, Gautam reverted that Ponting must remain concerned about the Aussie team and their players.

Reflecting on the same, Ganguly said the on-the-face approach works against Australia, and Gambhir must stick to it.

"Ultimately, you have to go and play the game hard. That is the way it is, and it has happened for ages against Australian cricket teams. That makes this series even more competitive and more followed by people," Ganguly continued.

The first Test against Australia begins on Friday (Nov. 22) at the Optus Stadium in Perth. 

(With inputs from agencies)