New Delhi:
In the midst of India’s recent cricket struggles, Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) President Snehashish Ganguly has extended his support to India’s Head Coach, Gautam Gambhir. Despite a tumultuous start to his tenure, marked by significant losses in both ODI and Test formats, Ganguly believes Gambhir deserves more time to turn things around.
Gambhir’s era as head coach has been marred by historic setbacks, including India’s first ODI series defeat to Sri Lanka in 27 years and a home Test series whitewash against New Zealand, the first in 24 years. The team also suffered a series defeat to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, their first in a decade. These losses, coupled with reports of a rift within the Indian dressing room, have intensified the scrutiny on Gambhir’s leadership.
However, Ganguly remains optimistic about Gambhir’s potential, citing his successful stint with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). “I feel happy because of his approach. As a coach, he got success for KKR after 12 years. We should give him some time,” Ganguly emphasized, highlighting the need for patience given Gambhir’s recent appointment following Rahul Dravid’s tenure.
The upcoming white-ball series against England is crucial for Gambhir and the Indian team. This series, which includes a 5-match T20I series and a 3-match ODI series, will serve as a preparatory ground for the Champions Trophy 2025, a tournament where India aims to redeem itself after recent disappointments. Senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are expected to return for the ODI series, adding a layer of experience and leadership to the team.
Another significant boost for the Indian team is the return of Mohammed Shami, the 2023 ODI World Cup hero, who will make his comeback to international cricket after over a year. Ganguly expressed his excitement about Shami’s form and fitness, noting, “He came back after a year and bowled very well for Bengal. He seems to be in great shape, fit and raring to go.”
As the Indian team prepares for these critical matches, Ganguly’s backing of Gambhir underscores the importance of stability and patience in coaching transitions. With the England series and the Champions Trophy on the horizon, Gambhir’s ability to steer the team towards better performances will be under close scrutiny.
