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India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir set the tone for India’s tour of Australia by taking questions on the concerns surrounding the Indian team after the 0-3 whitewash in the Test series at home against New Zealand, one of which is his own ‘mixed’ run in four months since replacing Rahul Dravid.
Talking to media ahead of his departure for Australia, the head coach said comments on social media don’t bother him.
“What difference does social media make in my life!” he shot back when a reporter asked about a lot of opinions about his run as India coach.
Gautam Gambhir’s stint as coach not off to an ideal start | Beyond the Boundary Highlights
“When I took up the job, I knew it is going to be a difficult and a prestigious job. I don’t thiknk I am facing any heat. There are some great people in that dressing room. It’s an absolute honour to be coaching them,” added the World Cup winner, who replaced Dravid as head coach after the T20 World Cup earlier this year.
Gambhir has so far had two T20I series, one ODI series and two Test series as India’s head coach.
India have won all six T20Is they have played under Gambhir so far. However, the team lost the ODI series in Sri Lanka 1-2. In five Tests under Gambhir’s guidance, India swept Bangladesh 0-2 at home but suffered an embarrassing 0-3 whitewash against New Zealand, the first such instance for India on home soil in a three-Test series.
The New Zealand series included another historic low, when India were bowled out for 46 in the first innings of the Bengaluru Test to register their lowest total in a Test innings at home.
However, experts have thrown their weight behind Gambhir, urging not to judge him so early in his tenure.
Sunil Joshi, who was Gambhir’s teammate and is a former chief selector of the BCCI, said one can never question Gambhir’s commitment and acumen.
“Knowing Gautam Gambhir, he is a fighting cricketer and we know his commitment towards the game or towards the team. He is very sincere. No coach will ever want to be on the wrong side of a result. We need to give him time. Let’s not judge by the two series that we have seen, just five Test matches. Of course, on home soil we have lost. I am sure he will also be disappointed with the way the Test matches have gone, but don’t judge his acumen or his commitment. He is a fighter and he will come out successful. I know that,” said Joshi talking to Timesofindia.com
“We have to give time to them (Gambhir and his coaching staff) to settle down. After two years, the results will be in front of us. Then we can judge.”
India will open the five-Test Border Gavaskar Trophy at the Optus Stadium in Perth from November 22.
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