Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir’s childhood coach, Sanjay Bhardwaj unpacked the appointment of the new head coach for Indian men’s cricket team. According to him, besides playing cricket he has undergone various challenges in life, as he put it “usne khela bhi hai aur jhela bhi bohot hai”.
BCCI on Tuesday officially appointed the 2011 ODI World Cup winning squad member Gambhir as India senior men’s team head coach. Bhardwaj’s comments reveal some of the grit and leadership skills that mark Gambhir in his new role.
He said, “As a player he has won two World Cups, and as a leader he will lead India to another World Cup glory. A true leader brings out their players’ best,” Bhardwaj told IANS when asked how he felt about his own pupil becoming the head coach of Indian cricket.
“Gautam Gambhir ‘ne khela bhi hai aur jhela bhi bohot hai (Gautam Gambhir has not only played the game but also faced numerous challenges). A man who has endured so much will ensure that no one else suffers.”
Awardee Dronacharya talked about how he witnessed Gambhir moving from being a cricketer to Member of Parliament and now emerging as Team India’s head coach quoting; “Gambhir endured challenges in every aspect of life, and those who face challenges have no doubts in their actions. He thrives in situations where challenges are prominent. Based on how he has tackled challenges in his life, he will excel in the future as well.”
Youngsters under Gambhir can expect a nurturing environment allowing them to grow without pressure. The former Indian opener is expect to create an atmosphere where talent youngsters can express themselves freely on field without thinking too much or doubting their capabilities.
“Young players will get free hands to play without any doubt. He will not put unnecessary pressure on any player. He was the one who brought Umesh Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav, and Navdeep Saini because he knew their qualities. If you can make Sunil Narine open, which was a big challenge. If this move had failed, then the people would have said that Gambhir has guessed. Whatever he does is best for the team. He fulfills the challenge he takes,” he said.
Both as a player and captain Gambhir had a fiery aspect to him during matches according to Bhardwaj. In his view social media sometimes distorts what people perceive as Gambir’s emotional flare-ups were never out of context.
“Things appear in different ways on social media. Any of his heated arguments happened for some reason… This is a game where you will have to remain a fighter. You have to play for victory. If you don’t always play for victory, you can’t make the team win and you can’t be a good leader.
During an interaction recently, he shared some details about his conversation with Gambhir after being named as the head coach. In this chat with him, Bhardwaj wished success to his former ward in his new position while desiring that “two or three World Cups” should be won by India under him when serving as coach.
In the players’ quality you have brought out the best. You are impartial and know how to spot good players. I pray that your qualities will make you do whatever you are supposed to such that it is done in an unbiased manner. Bharadwaj concluded by saying that after having been a two-time World Cup winner as a player, he now wants India to win 2-3 World Cups under his guidance as their coach.
