‘Senior Players May Not Play Big Part’: SA Legend Thinks Big Changes Could Be Coming for Team India

Widespread praise has been showered upon the Board of Control for Cricket in India for selecting the renowned left-handed batsman to lead the Indian National Cricket Team. As he succeeded Rahul Dravid, who concluded his career with a T20 World Cup victory, it marked the start of a new era. Since the IPL 2024 season, Gambhir has demonstrated his ability to help the team win, and it is anticipated that he will instill a renewed spirit of discipline and ferocity in the team. Gambhir's goal of strengthening the team may inspire a significant shake-up as soon as he joins the team and takes on the role.

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Will the senior players be limited under Gautam Gambhir's tutelage? SA great thinks so 

With major tournaments and championships up and coming in the next few years, Team India needed a man who would have a vision so rigid that shaking the Indian Cricket Team's momentum would be difficult. The Indian Cricket scene has been having a major boom since a lot of domestic talent is surfacing. But that could also mean that a lot of the players, especially the seniors could be either restricted to particular formats to achieve success. SA great Dale Steyn believes Gautam Gambhir could limit the senior players' capacity in the various formats, which may include players like Virat Kohli.

"I think he's going to take that into the dressing room with guys like Virat [Kohli] and some of the other senior players who might not play as big a part anymore. I'm not too sure. Not just in India, but in world cricket, we need guys who are a little bit more aggressive and play the game a little bit harder,” Steyn said during an appearance in Star Sports.

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Gautam Gambhir's effectiveness with the Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League validated his bid for the position of coach of the Indian cricket team. After joining KKR, he guided them to their third IPL victory in the 2024 season after they overcame the formidable Sunrisers Hyderabad. He also guided LSG into the IPL playoffs twice.

The Sri Lanka tour, which includes three Twenty20 Internationals and three One-Day Internationals in Pallekele and Colombo, respectively, will be Gambhir's first assignment. Since the majority of the veteran players may be rested for the impending red-ball games, expect new faces to be included in the squad.