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India's star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, has offered a candid assessment of both the former and current head coaches of the Indian cricket team, Rahul Dravid and Gautam Gambhir. Rahul Dravid’s stint with the Indian team was marked by notable success. Under his leadership, Team India made it to several ICC finals and ultimately ended their ICC trophy drought by winning a T20 World Cup 2024 title. During Dravid’s time as head coach, India contested the finals of both the ICC World Test Championship 2023 and the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 against Australia. Despite suffering disappointing losses in both finals, Dravid remained resilient and committed to the team’s cause.
Rishabh Pant reveals distinct coaching styles of Rahul Dravid and Gautam Gambhir
After the disappointing loss in the ODI World Cup final, Rahul Dravid was given a contract extension by the BCCI. He saw the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 as his final opportunity to win a major trophy with the Indian team. Working closely with Rohit Sharma, Dravid implemented effective game plans that culminated in a victory over South Africa in the final, securing the T20 World Cup title. With the conclusion of the T20 World Cup, Rahul Dravid's contract with the BCCI expired, bringing his tenure with the Indian team to an end. The BCCI explored various options to replace him but ultimately decided on Gautam Gambhir, who had no prior coaching experience. Although Gambhir had served as a mentor for the Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League, he had never held the position of head coach. Despite this lack of experience, the BCCI placed their trust in Gambhir and offered him a contract until 2027.
Gautam Gambhir has so far dealt with two assignments with Team India, Rishabh Pant had the chance to play under the coaching of Gambhir in two series as yet.
Rahul bhai was very balanced, Gauti bhai is more aggressive: Rishabh Pant
After spending considerable time with both coaches, Rishabh Pant has offered his perspective on them. Speaking on JioCinema ahead of the Duleep Trophy 2024, where he is representing India B, Pant candidly remarked that Rahul Dravid and Gautam Gambhir have very distinct styles. He described Dravid as balanced, while Gambhir is more aggressive. Pant further said that the newly-appointed head coach of India tends to focus intensely on winning, but he emphasised the need for a balanced approach in achieving success.
“I feel Rahul bhai was very balanced as a human being and as a coach. It could be both good and bad. There are positives and negatives, and it depends on where individuals want to focus. Gauti bhai (Gambhir) is more aggressive, he's very one-sided about the fact that you have to win. But you need to find the right balance and improve,” Pant told JioCinema.
Rishabh Pant made a much-anticipated return to red-ball cricket on Thursday, September 5, when he took the field in the Duleep Trophy 2024. Despite being considered one of the best red-ball batters in the world, Pant disappointed with his performance on day 1, scoring just 7 runs off 10 balls before being dismissed by Akash Deep. Following the conclusion of the first round of the Duleep Trophy, Rishabh Pant will be seen in action in the upcoming home Test series against Bangladesh.
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