Indian all-rounder Axar Patel has said that he is excited to work with new head coach Gautam Gambhir. The former India opener was unveiled as the new head coach by the BCCI earlier this week.
Gambhir has replaced Rahul Dravid as India’s head coach. Dravid was the team’s head coach from 2021 until last month’s T20 World Cup. Under Dravid, India enjoyed success across all formats, with his tenure ending with the monumental T20 World Cup win that ended the team’s 11-year wait for an ICC trophy.
With Dravid at the helm, India qualified for the semi-final of the 2022 T20 World Cup. Last year, India reached the final of the World Test Championship as well as the ODI World Cup, besides winning the Asia Cup. India also defeated Australia and England in home Tests.
I look forward to it: Axar Patel
After Dravid’s successful tenure, Gautam Gambhir has a big task ahead of him. And while only time will tell how things will pan out in the coming days, Axar Patel has said that he is very excited about the new beginning. The star all-rounder said that he has played against Gambhir in the IPL and is now looking forward to working with him.
“I have played against him in the IPL and now he is coming in as a coach so obviously I am excited. His journey has not started yet but I am looking forward to it. There will be a lot of changes in the set-up, his mindset will be different so I am excited to see our new goals, the change in atmosphere,” Axar Patel told Times Now.
Speaking further, the T20 World Cup winner said that the role of players might change in T20Is after the retirement of stalwarts like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja. Axar Patel said that India will have a younger squad in T20s and asserted that he cannot wait to see the changes in the team.
“The roles of the players could also change, especially in T20, with Virat, Jadeja and Rohit retiring. A younger squad will be put in place and we will see how it pans out. New coach, new staff – I am very excited to see the changes and looking forward to the first meeting with him where there will be a lot of clarity,” Axar Patel said.
The India job is Gambhir’s first as a head coach. In the past, he has only served as a mentor in the IPL and has done an impressive job. In 2022 and 2023, he helped the Lucknow Super Giants qualify for the playoffs before leading the Kolkata Knight Riders to victory this year. Gambhir’s first assignment as India’s head coach will be the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, scheduled to begin later this month.