ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Gautam Gambhir's future lined-up by Ganguly

India National Cricket Team head coach Gautam Gambhir has returned to Kolkata’s Eden Gardens, but not as a captain or player. The five-match T20I series opener between India and England at the Eden Gardens will be Gambhir’s first assignment as the head coach in Kolkata.

Ahead of the first T20I on Wednesday, January 22, Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) President Snehashish Ganguly has called for calm and patience as Gautam Gambhir has been facing mounting criticism following the India National Cricket Team’s recent struggles.

CAB President urges patience for Gautam Gambhir ahead of India vs England T20I opener

Despite his impressive credentials, including mentoring the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to the IPL 2024 title and the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to the playoffs twice, Gambhir’s stint as the Indian team coach has had a rocky start, especially in ODI and Test cricket.

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Under Gautam Gambhir’s guidance, the India National Cricket Team lost the ODI series to Sri Lanka for the first time in 27 years. The Indian cricket team also suffered a whitewash in a home Test series after 24 years when New Zealand won a historic Test series 3-0 last year.

Adding to the woes, the Indian cricket team also lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 to Australia in a decade earlier this year. These setbacks have sparked intense scrutiny of Gambhir’s leadership and even speculations about unrest in the Indian dressing room, making a lot of noise.

We should give him some time: Snehashish Ganguly

However, amidst rumors of a rift among senior players and the coaching staff, Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) President Snehashish Ganguly has emphasized that coaching at the international level requires time and faith, saying greatness is rarely achieved overnight.

Ganguly also pointed out Gambhir’s success with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as he noted that the Indian coach’s ability to turn things around shouldn’t be underestimated. He urged the fans and critics to trust the process and give Gambhir more time to bring out the best in the Indian team.

Snehashish Ganguly was quoted as saying by ANI: “I feel happy because of his approach. As a coach, he got success for KKR after 12 years. We should give him some time. It has been some months since he has been handling the team after Rahul Dravid.”

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Mohammed Shami is fit and raring to go: CAB President

Meanwhile, Mohammed Shami is all set to return to the national colors after 14 months, and the CAB president expressed excitement about India’s seasoned pacer’s return. He also highlighted Mohammed Shami’s impressive performance for Bengal after a year-long break.

The CAB President said that his fitness and form reminded him of the old Mohammed Shami at his best, and he believes the Kolkata crowd will be eagerly watching him in action in the upcoming five-match T20I series opener against England at the Eden Gardens.

Ganguly signed off by saying, “The most important thing is the whole Kolkata crowd will be watching Mohammed Shami. He came back after a year and bowled very well for Bengal. I was observing his bowling, and he seemed to be in great shape. He looks like the old Mohammed Shami—fit and raring to go.”