New Delhi: Former Australia Test captain Tim Paine said the biggest concern for the Indian men’s cricket team is head coach Gautam Gambhir’s inability to remain calm under pressure more than the batting form of senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
India will start as the holders of the Test series against Australia for the last four bilateral series. Despite the success, the men from the sub-continent have a daunting task of not just defending the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but win it with a heavy margin of 4-1 to keep their chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship final in the 2023-2025 cycle alive.
India recently suffered a never-before 3-0 Test series loss to an unfancied New Zealand on home soil earlier this month. The humiliation has raised eyebrows on Gambhir’s style of coaching, and Paine has joined the critics in pointing out how the 43-year-old’s ‘prickly’ coaching style may not work Down Under.
“Their last two series wins out here they had Ravi Shastri who was fantastic. He created a great environment, the players were energised, they played with passion, he sold them the dream and motivated them in a really light-hearted enjoyable way,” Paine said on SEN Radio.
“They (India) have gone to a new coach now that is really prickly, really competitive — and that not to say that’s not a good thing and a good way to coach — but my concern is that it’s not a great fit for the Indian cricket team,” he added.
Tim Paine reacts to Gautam Gambhir’s criticism on Ricky Ponting
Gautam Gambhir attended a press conference before the Indian team’s departure to Australia for the five-match Test series. One of the most talking points from the media interaction was Gambhir’s scathing remarks on former Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting’s criticism on Virat Kohli’s current form.
Gambhir questioned the former Australian World Cup winner’s interest in Indian cricket and asked him to stick with matters related to Australian cricket. Paine, who was part of Australia during their back-to-back Test series defeats against India at home, said that Gambhir will have a long summer if India fail to win in the first Test in Perth.
“If your coach is the first one to crack in a press conference after being asked a simple question, it could be a really long summer for Gautam Gambhir if India don’t get off to a good start on Perth,” Paine said.
“I don’t love it. It’s not a good sign I think, because all he was asked was a very simple question. I think he’s maybe looking at Ricky still as someone he’s playing against.” But Ricky is a commentator now — he’s paid to give an opinion, and his opinion was spot on. Virat has been sliding, it is a concern, absolutely.
“But for me now, the biggest concern for India right now isn’t Rohit Sharma’s batting, isn’t Virat Kohli’s batting, it’s their coach and his ability to stay calm under pressure,” he added.
India and Australia will play the first Test match at the Perth Stadium from November 22 to 26.
Former Australia Test captain Tim Paine said the biggest concern for the Indian men’s cricket team is head coach Gautam Gambhir’s inability to remain calm under pressure ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
