Rohit Sharma’s Candid Thoughts on New India Head Coach Gautam Gambhir: “Whether He Will Laugh Or Not…”
As India prepares for the ODI series against Sri Lanka, the spotlight is on the new head coach, Gautam Gambhir. Rohit Sharma, the Indian captain, shared his thoughts on Gambhir’s approach in a recent pre-match press conference.
Sharma highlighted Gambhir’s extensive cricketing experience, noting that his clear vision for the team is a positive development. “Gautam Gambhir has played a lot of cricket and has also been involved with a franchise team before stepping into this role. Every individual works differently, and we had Ravi Shastri before. Now, with Gambhir, we have someone who knows what he wants to achieve with the team,” Sharma explained.
The skipper emphasized that the focus for the upcoming series is on learning and improving rather than making sweeping changes. “We don’t want to plan too far ahead. Our goal for these three games is to gain insights into our ODI strategy and make the most of this opportunity,” Sharma said.
Sharma also discussed his interactions with Gambhir, revealing that their conversations have revolved around team strategy, areas of improvement, and upcoming tournaments. “Our discussions were about how to run the team, identify strengths and weaknesses, and prepare for future matches,” he added.
Addressing curiosity about Gambhir’s demeanor, Sharma downplayed the significance of whether Gambhir’s personality includes frequent laughter or not. “Gautam Bhai enjoys a lot of fun in the dressing room. His personal style is his own, and we shouldn’t get too focused on whether he laughs or not. Everyone has their unique way of handling things,” Sharma said.
As the ODIs against Sri Lanka mark the beginning of India’s preparation for the 2025 Champions Trophy, Sharma stressed that the team’s approach remains focused on playing quality cricket. “This is an international series, not a practice ground. We want to play good cricket and get something valuable out of these games,” he remarked.
Sharma concluded by emphasizing the importance of player freedom and creating an environment where players can perform without undue pressure. “We want to try new things and keep moving forward. Allowing players the freedom to express themselves is crucial. If they can play the way the team expects, we’ll be in a better place,” he said.
As India embarks on this new phase under Gambhir’s leadership, Sharma’s comments reflect a commitment to progress and adaptability while honoring the team’s established values.
