Gautam Gambhir denied 'head coach' label as Andy Flower makes sensational statement on India great

Former Zimbabwe cricket Andy Flower talked about the expectations from the new India National Cricket Team head coach Gautam Gambhir. He said that the former Indis skipper has the characteristics of a successful coach and has very strong opinions.

The Gautam Gambhir era has officially started in the Indian team. The former India skipper was appointed as the head coach of the team after Rahul Dravid’s tenure ended following the T20 World Cup 2024. His first stint as a coach is underway as India are taking on Sri Lanka.

Under Gautam Gambhir, India have looked ruthless as they have been sensational with the bat and ball in the ongoing T20I series. The ultra-aggressive approach of the team in the series has been the highlight, as no matter what the scorecard is, batters have looked to get runs quickly.

Gautam Gambhir started his coaching stint on high under him. India won the T20I series against Sri Lanka. They have won two games on the trot by big margins and have taken an unassailable lead of 2-0 with the last match of the series, set to be played on Tuesday (30th July).

Andy Flower called Gautam Gambhir an inspirational leader rather than a coach and stressed that the Indian coach is a man of principles who will allow others to follow him. He stressed that the former KKR mentor is willing to make tough decisions and will know what kind of cricket he wants his team to play. Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, he explained:

"He's certainly got some of the characteristics of a successful coach. He hasn't coached, though, has he? He is not your conventional coach. It would probably be better to describe him as an inspirational leader than a coach. That might be more accurate. He's a guy who has the conviction and courage of his own beliefs and principles that will allow other people to want to follow him.

"Followers or teams like to trust that their leader has the courage of his convictions. And GG has that. He has strong opinions. He knows where he wants to go. He's willing to make tough decisions, and he will have a very clear idea of the type of cricket that he wants his teams to play."

Andy Flower highlights challenges for Gautam Gambhir as India head coach

Andy Flower further pointed out how coaching the franchise and international teams is different, saying that leagues are about short-term results while international cricket is about the development of players and culture.

Andy Flower highlighted that Gautam Gambhir will be coaching the team in three different formats, and he will have to develop culture across different teams. He explained:

"The biggest difference between the two jobs [franchise and international cricket] is that in the international arena, you are developing a team, and you are developing individuals with a medium- to long-term outlook. Franchise cricket is more about short-term results and getting a bunch of disparate individuals together heading in one direction and believing in something in a very short space of time.

"Whereas in international cricket you have just more time for individual development and to develop a deeper culture in the group. [Gambhir] will be doing three formats, so those might differ a little. They might have different captains, for instance, different senior players, but the tenets and principles of the culture and the unit that you are developing across three formats will be similar," he concluded.