Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir is not in favor of the Indian team hiring a foreign coach. He said that both India and Pakistan need to back their former players as coaches.
During an interaction on Sportskeeda with Wasim Akram, Gautam Gambhir spoke about how India and Pakistan are not able to leverage technology to its full extent like foreign coaches do.
Gautam Gambhir added that India performed well under Rahul Dravid in the World Cup 2023 It 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 outside. Our problem is that we probably can’t present ourselves as well, use the laptop or speak English as well. “We don’t have those corporate skills, but we know how to work hard in the field and do the legwork.”
Echoing Gautam Gambhir’s comment, Wasim Akram highlighted how foreign coaches misled the Pakistan cricket team. He added that foreign coaches did not make the necessary effort. He elaborated;
“Our foreign coaches are not here (in Pakistan) all the time. They don’t make an effort to go to the NCA and coach youth or other coaches. They do not work on the psychological and human management side. Unhone to laddoo khilaaya hai hum sab ko (they are just fooling us).”
Pakistan had a torrid run in the ICC World Cup 2023. The coaches received a lot of criticism for their poor performance and after the tournament they sacked the entire staff. Mickey Arthur was removed from the position of director of cricket, while Morne Morkel resigned as bowling coach.
India and Pakistan need to support local coaches – Gautama Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir also highlighted the importance of having coaches from the same country. He said emotions matter a lot and local coaches know the value of wearing a nation’s jersey. He explained:
“We have had so many great players who have won World Cups that if they want to be part of the coaching staff, India and Pakistan must back them as coaches. Emotions are very important in sport because when you put on that jersey you know how much blood and sweat you have given to reach that level. If India does not give extension to Rahul Dravid, I hope some Indian coach replaces him.”
The BCCI has reportedly offered the Rahul Dravid-led coaching staff an extension till the 2024 T20 World Cup.