Gautam Gambhir`s “prickly” coaching style may not bode well for the Indian team, and it could be a “long summer” if they fail to start strong in the Perth Test on November 22, warns former Australian captain Tim Paine.
Jolted by an unprecedented 0-3 home series loss to New Zealand, the Gambhir-coached side now face the daunting task of defending the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in a five-match series against Australia, starting with the Perth Test.
“Their last two series wins out here they had Ravi Shastri who was fantastic. He created a great environment, the players were energised, they played with passion, he sold them the dream and motivated them in a really light-hearted enjoyable way,” Paine said on SEN Radio.
“They (India) have gone to a new coach now that is really prickly, really competitive — and that not to say that`s not a good thing and a good way to coach — but my concern is that it`s not a great fit for the Indian cricket team.
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“If your coach is the first one to crack in a press conference after being asked a simple question, it could be a really long summer for Gautam Gambhir if India don`t get off to a good start on Perth.”
Paine`s comments stemmed from a recent media interaction where Gambhir took issue with Ricky Ponting`s remarks on Virat Kohli`s struggling form, saying that the Australian legend need not be concerned about Indian cricket. Ponting, in turn, described Gambhir “quite a prickly character”.
`Gambhir, India`s biggest concern`
Paine felt Gambhir`s barb was a sign that he may not be able to stay calm under pressure which would be India`s “biggest concern” — even more than the struggling form of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
“I don`t love it. It`s not a good sign I think, because all he was asked was a very simple question. I think he`s maybe looking at Ricky still as someone he`s playing against,” Paine said.
“But Ricky is a commentator now — he`s paid to give an opinion, and his opinion was spot on. Virat has been sliding, it is a concern, absolutely.
“But for me now, the biggest concern for India right now isn`t Rohit Sharma`s batting, isn`t Virat Kohli`s batting, it`s their coach and his ability to stay calm under pressure,” he added.
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