Gautam Gambhir's appointment as head coach wrong decision? India women's cricketer delivers 'he was aggressive' statement

India women's batter Veda Krishnamurthy reckons that BCCI's decision to choose Gautam Gambhir as the Indian men's team's next head coach is correct. Recently, BCCI secretary Jay Shah officially announced Gautam Gambhir as India's next head coach after Rahul Dravid.

Gautam Gambhir's tenure as India's head coach will begin with the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, where India will play 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is. It is believed that Gambhir will have full freedom in choosing his coaching staff as well.

Dravid's tenure ended with the completion of the T20 World Cup 2024, where India clinched the title by defeating South Africa in the final. Dravid had already announced earlier that this would be his last assignment with Team India and wished not to continue in the role further.

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Veda Krishnamurthy backs BCCI's decision to choose Gautam Gambhir as India head coach

While speaking on Sports 18, Veda Krishnamurthy was asked about the decision to appoint Gautam Gambhir as the new head coach. She reckoned that Gambhir knows how to lead a team to victory as he has been a part of the champion team before.

"You can see why he has been chosen. He was aggressive and a competitor as a cricketer. He had the fire within to win every game. We have seen him for many years in the IPL. His team were the champions twice when he was leading as a captain. So he knows how to lead a team to victory. I am sure he will come with the same drive as a coach," Krishnamurthy replied.

Gautam Gambhir was a part of India's team that won the 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cup. He played pivotal roles in India's victories in both tournaments by top-scoring for India in both finals.

Gautam Gambhir's job won't be easy - Veda Krishnamurthy

Krishnamurthy further mentioned that the path will not be easy for Gambhir as there are a no. of ICC tournaments in the upcoming years and India will be expected to do well in all of them.

"Exciting days ahead, there are many important tournaments, so there will be immediate hurdles and we know the job is not easy. Everything is good when you win but fingers are pointed when you lose. He is the best person to face that as well because he will go and sit in front of the media and tell them to ask whatever they want," she added.

Alongside winning two ICC tournaments, Gautam Gambhir has a proven record in the IPL as well. He led Kolkata Knight Riders to the title win in 2012 and 2014. In 2024, he joined KKR again but this time as a mentor, and helped the team clinch their third IPL trophy.

Gautam Gambhir has played 242 matches for India across formats. He was known as one of the best openers during his prime. In 2009, he became the No. 1 Test batter in the ICC Test Rankings.