Gautam Gambhir (L) and Rohit Sharma (R) in the IPL 2024. (AFP)
An Indian international pacer shed some light on what Gautam Gambhir’s approach as a coach has been like in the IPL.
Following Gautam Gambhir’s appointment as the Team India head coach, current international pacer, Avesh Khan revealed some insights on what has been like working under the former India opener.
Avesh had played with the Lucknow Super Giants from 2022 to 2023 in the Indian Premier League (IPL) where Gambhir was the mentor for the franchise in the same period. The MP-based pacer suggested that Gambhir was one focused on the mindset of going after his opponents.
READ MORE: ICC’s Chris Tetley, Claire Furlong Resign After Chaotic 2024 T20 World Cup
“Whatever I have learned from him, it is about the mindset that you should always look to get the better of your opponent and give your 100 per cent,” said Avesh ahead of the fourth T20I against Zimbabwe.
According to the fast bowler, the new head coach was someone who was a man of few words but knew how to get the right message across and had a team-first philosophy.
“In team meetings, as well as one-on-ones, he would speak less but would convey his point as to what is to be done. He would assign tasks and roles to players and he has always been a ‘team coach’, he always wants to win and everyone to give their 100 per cent,” Avesh added.
Speaking on the conditions at Harare, Avesh did not have much to complain about after he picked up six wickets in the three games he had featured in the ongoing series.
“We have played on different wickets here. We played the first two matches on the same deck, there was a good bounce in the first match but in the second it had flattened out. The conditions are good, since it is an open ground the ball also swings a bit,” he said.
READ MORE: ‘Test Match Cricket Not an Exhibition’: Geoffrey Boycott Sends Harsh Reality-Check to Bazball
“But since these matches are played in daytime, sometimes the wicket dries up but as a bowler, you should be prepared to bowl in all situations,” Avesh added.
The 25-year-old is also looking to replicate Jasprit Bumrah’s clear mindset when bowling. He also revealed some of the advice he had received which highlighted the execution side of things.
“As Virat bhai said, he is a once-in-a-generation bowler, it is true and we all believe so. His style of bowling and his mindset are different, but the main (thing) is his execution, for which we all practice,” he commented.
“Whenever I speak with him, he tells me to focus on the execution. If you are thinking of sending down a yorker, then it has to be a yorker; it cannot be a full toss or a half volley, a bouncer has to be on the shoulders; a length ball has to be (aimed at) the top of off (stump),” Avesh concluded.
Gambhir is not currently with the Indian squad in Zimbabwe but will begin his stint as Head Coach when the team travels to Sri Lanka for their white-ball tour which begins on July 26.
