Team India will embark on a new journey this month with Gautam Gambhir as their new head coach. After Rahul Dravid’s successful tenure came to an end last month, the former India opener replaced him as the new head coach.
Like his predecessor Rahul Dravid, Gautam Gambhir also joined the Indian team as head coach without the experience of coaching an international or state team. However, Dravid served as the head coach of both the Indian and India Under-19 teams.
He also served as the interim coach in India’s limited-overs series in Sri Lanka in 2021 before taking charge of the team on a permanent basis. On the other hand, Gautam Gambhir has only served as a mentor in the IPL so far, though he has made a huge impact.
In 2022 and 2023, he was with Lucknow Super Giants and helped the newcomers reach the playoffs in both seasons. In 2024, LSG failed to advance to the playoffs after parting ways with Gambhir. The former India batsman mentored Kolkata Knight Riders this year and helped them win the IPL title after a gap of 10 years.
One Indian player who has seen Gambhir’s coaching method up close is fast bowler Avesh Khan. The right-hander was part of the LSG team in 2022 and 2023 when Gambhir was the mentor and has opened up about what makes the legendary batsman a “team coach”. He explained that Gambhir has a winning mentality and motivates the players to give 100 per cent every time.
Avesh Khan opens up about Gautam Gambhir
“Everything I have learnt from him is about the mindset that you should always look to outscore your opponent and give 100 per cent,” Avesh Khan told BCCI ahead of India’s fourth T20I against Zimbabwe.
“In team meetings, as well as in individual encounters, he spoke less but conveyed his point of view on what needed to be done. He assigned tasks and roles to the players and has always been a ‘team coach’, always wanting to win and for everyone to give 100 percent.” he added.
He is a unique player in his generation: Avesh Khan
During the same interview, Avesh Khan also spoke about India’s pacer Jasprit Bumrah and praised him as a generational bowler. The young player explained how Bumrah always focuses on executing the plans and urges his teammates to do the same.
“As Virat bhai said, he is a once in a generation player, that is true and we all believe it. His style of bowling and mentality are different but the main thing is his execution which we all practice for.” said Avesh.
“Whenever I talk to him, he tells me to focus on execution. If you’re thinking of bowling a yorker, then it has to be a yorker; it can’t be a full toss or a half-volley, a bouncer has to be on the shoulders; a length ball has to be (aimed at) the top of the (stump),” he added.
Avesh is currently in Zimbabwe for the ongoing five-match T20I series. In three matches, he has picked up six wickets and is the leading wicket-taker in the series. India are currently leading the series 2-1 and will look to wrap it up by winning the fourth match on Saturday (July 13).