Former India head coach Gary Kirsten, who guided the team to the 2011 ODI World Cup triumph, raised questions over the current head coach, Gautam Gambhir's connection with the team ahead of the fourth Test against England in Manchester. Gambhir got appointed as India's head coach in June, 2024 and even though the team has managed to do well under him in the white-ball formats, Test cricket is where they have faltered big time.
Not only did the Men in Blue suffer a 0-3 series whitewash against New Zealand at home, they also lost the Border-Gavaskar series against Australia by 3-1. Now they are currently trailing England by 2-1 heading into the fourth Test of the five-match series that is set to be held at Old Trafford from July 23.
Kirsten gave his take on Gambhir's personality and style as coach
Kirsten, who had coached Gambhir during the latter's playing days, remarked that even though he is quite tough and strong, the India head coach has a personality and style which the players may find difficult to connect with.
"Well, I don't know Gautam, the coach, at all. Gautam, the player, I absolutely loved. He's got a toughness to him that is very useful. I think he's really strong. But he's got a personality and he's got a style. The big thing is does that personality and style connect with Indian players? That's really what it's going to be about," The Indian Express quoted Kirsten as saying.
"He's had success in the IPL. I remember when we split the one-day team and the Test team and we made him the one-day captain against New Zealand before coming to South Africa. And he did a fantastic job," he added.
Meanwhile, it is highly important for the Men in Blue to come out victorious in the upcoming match as any other result will ensure that they do not win the series. On the other hand, if England manage to record a victory in Manchester, then they will go on to seal the series before even playing the fifth and final match.