“T20 World Cup winner predicts Gautam Gambhir will not remain as India’s coach.”

Gautam Gambhir, who took over as the head coach of the Indian cricket team last month, following Rahul Dravid’s departure after the T20 World Cup in June, faces skepticism about the duration of his tenure. Former Indian pacer Joginder Sharma, a T20 World Cup winner with Gambhir in 2007, has expressed doubts about Gambhir’s long-term prospects in the role, primarily due to Gambhir’s outspoken and forthright nature.

Under Gambhir’s guidance, India won their debut T20I series 3-0 against Sri Lanka, with Suryakumar Yadav leading the team. However, the ODI series opener, which saw Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli return to the side, ended in a thrilling draw against Sri Lanka. Despite these early successes, Sharma believes Gambhir may not remain in the coaching role for an extended period.

In a recent podcast with Shubhankar Mishra, Joginder Sharma voiced his concerns about Gambhir’s future. He suggested that Gambhir’s direct approach and his tendency to make bold decisions could lead to conflicts within the team. “Gautam Gambhir is the one managing the team, but I believe he might not last long,” Joginder said. He elaborated that Gambhir’s decisive and sometimes controversial decisions might cause disagreements with players, which could affect his tenure. Sharma emphasized that Gambhir’s decision-making style, which is not always popular with others, could be a reason for potential issues.

Sharma further explained that Gambhir is known for his straightforwardness and unwillingness to flatter others. “Gautam Gambhir speaks directly and doesn’t seek approval from anyone. He is not someone who engages in sycophancy. We appreciate him for his honesty and integrity in his work,” Sharma noted. He praised Gambhir for his sincerity and commitment, stating that while Gambhir is highly regarded for his straightforward approach, it could also lead to friction within the team environment.

Overall, while Gambhir has made a strong start as head coach, the concerns raised by Joginder Sharma highlight the challenges he may face due to his direct and unyielding nature. Whether Gambhir’s tenure will be as impactful as his coaching debut suggests, or if internal dynamics will pose obstacles, remains to be seen.