"Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli might not play"- Dale Steyn and Jacques Kallis' sensational revelation on Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir's appointment as the head coach of the Indian cricket team has sparked enthusiastic reactions from prominent figures in the cricketing world, among them South African legends Dale Steyn and Jacques Kallis.

Both Steyn and Kallis backed Gambhir's appointment as a positive development for Indian cricket, saying the former Indian batter will bring unique qualities to the role. The former South African greats believe Gambhir’s aggressive mindset, combined with his tactical expertise, will bring a new dynamic to the Indian cricket team.

Dale Steyn and Jacques Kallis welcome Gautam Gambhir's appointment as India head coach

Steyn, known for his fiery on-field persona, said that he has always admired Gambhir's aggressive style of play. The former Proteas speedster believes that Gambhir's intensity and competitive spirit will be a significant asset to Team India. He also hailed how Gambhir, unlike many of his teammates, would often respond strongly to challenges on the field.

Steyn also highlighted Gambhir's dual nature: fierce and unyielding on the field, but a gentleman off the field, saying this balance, along with his strategic mind and cricketing acumen, makes him an excellent leader who can inspire and guide the Indian team effectively. He also said he and Gambhir became friends now, thanks to Legends League Cricket.

I'm a big fan of Gautam Gambhir: Dale Steyn

On the sidelines of the ongoing WCL 2024, Dale Steyn said on Star Sports: “I'm a big fan of Gautam Gambhir. I love his aggression. He's one of the few Indians that I ever played against who kind of came back at you. And I like that. They need guys that are a little bit more aggressive and that play the game a little bit harder. I like the way that he's fierce on the field. He's a gentleman off the field. But he was also streetwise, a very smart cricketer, and had a great cricket brain. So, I think from that point of view, he's going to be fantastic for them too.”

Steyn also made a surprising statement that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma might not play as big a part anymore in the Indian dressing room, with Gambhir being head coach and leading the troops both on and off the field.

He mentioned that Gambhir’s appointment as India's head coach means that Kohli and Rohit will be completely out of the world of cricket. Steyn added, “I want to say that they're completely out. Not just in India, but in world cricket.”

I'm sure he'll do a fantastic job: Jacques Kallis on Gautam Gambhir

Meanwhile, legendary South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis echoed Steyn's sentiments, emphasizing Gambhir's strong cricketing brain and his aggressive playing style. Kallis believes that Gambhir's approach will inject fresh energy into the Indian cricket team, fostering an environment where players can thrive and learn a lot from their 2011 World Cup hero.

According to Kallis, Gambhir's passion for the game and his strategic insights will be invaluable for the Indian side, contributing to their overall growth and success. The former Proteas great is confident that Gambhir will add significant value to the Indian team, helping them to achieve new heights in the game.

Jacques Kallis said in the same interview: “It's great to see Gautam getting into the coaching side of things. He's got a really good cricket brain. He'll bring some fire. He loves playing the game aggressively. I think he'll bring that added touch, and the guys will certainly learn a lot from him. And he's got a lot to add. He's going to add a lot of value to that Indian side. I wish him all the best. It's not too much against us, but I'm sure he'll do a fantastic job. And the players will certainly learn a lot from him.”