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The cricketing world was abuzz with speculation regarding the future of India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir, following the team's disappointing performance in the recent home series against New Zealand. A report in Dainik Jagran suggested that Gambhir could be removed from his position if India failed to perform well in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. The report even went so far as to name VVS Laxman, the current National Cricket Academy (NCA) chief, as a potential replacement.
However, former India batter and renowned commentator Aakash Chopra has vehemently dismissed these rumours as baseless and malicious. He argued that it was too early to call for a coaching change, especially considering Gambhir's recent appointment. He highlighted that the practice of changing coaches solely based on player performance is not a sustainable or effective approach. Chopra's stance resonated with many within the cricketing community, who felt that the pressure on Gambhir was premature and unwarranted.
While dismissing the sacking rumour, Chopra did not shy away from holding Gambhir accountable for India's recent struggles. He pointed out that the BCCI had granted Gambhir full autonomy in forming his coaching staff and selecting his players. This included granting him the freedom to appoint Ryan ten Doeschate and Morne Morkel as assistants and including senior players in the Sri Lankan tour, despite public pronouncements of favouring Indian coaches. Chopra's assertion that Gambhir received significant backing from the board raised questions about the coach's ability to deliver results despite such support.
The controversy surrounding Gambhir's future highlights the immense pressure faced by coaches in international cricket. The constant scrutiny and demand for immediate success create a challenging environment for coaches to thrive. While the sacking rumour might have been unfounded, the underlying message of accountability remains. Gambhir will be expected to deliver positive results in the upcoming series against Australia, or face further scrutiny and potential consequences.
Source: 'Gautam Gambhir To Be Sacked' Report Discarded As "Malicious Intent". However...