We Don't Need Foreign Coaches - Gautam Gambhir Wants India To Stick With Local Coaches

Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir isn’t in favor of Team India getting a foreign coach. He said that both India and Pakistan need to back their former players as coaches.

During an interaction on Sportskeeda alongside Wasim Akram, Gautam Gambhir talked about how India and Pakistan are not able to make use of technology to the full extent just like foreign coaches.

Gautam Gambhir added that India performing well under Rahul Dravid in the World Cup 2023 was proof that they don’t need foreign coaches. He explained:

“We saw how well India played in the World Cup and that shows that we don’t need anyone from the outside. Our problem is we are probably not able to present that well, use the laptop, or speak English that well. We don’t have those corporate skills, but we know how to put the hard yards on the field and do the groundwork.”

Echoing Gautam Gambhir’s comment, Wasim Akram highlighted how foreign coaches fooled the Pakistan Cricket Team. He added that overseas coaches didn’t put in the effort that they needed to. He elaborated;

“Our foreign coaches aren’t here (in Pakistan) all the time. They don’t put efforts in going to the NCA and coaching youngsters or other coaches. They don’t work on the man-management and psychological side of things. Unhone to laddoo khilaaya hai hum sab ko (we are just being fooled).”

Pakistan had a torrid run in the ICC World Cup 2023. The coaches received a lot of criticism for their poor performances and after the tournament, they sacked the entire staff. Mickey Arthur was removed from the post of director of cricket whereas Morne Morkel stepped down as bowling coach.

India and Pakistan need to back local coaches – Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir further highlighted the importance of having coaches from the same country. He said that emotions matter a lot and home coaches know the value of wearing a nation’s jersey. He explained:

“We have had so many great players who have won World Cups so if they want to come into the coaching setup, India and Pakistan need to back them as coaches. Emotions are very important in sport because when you wear that shirt, you know how much blood and sweat you have given to reach that level. If India don’t give extension to Rahul Dravid, I hope some Indian coach replaces him.”

The Rahul Dravid-led coaching staff has been offered an extension by the BCCI reportedly till the T20 World Cup 2024.