'It could be long summer for Gautam Gambhir': Ex-AUS Capt Casts Heavy Doubts On India Coach's Acumen

After a disastrous start at helm as he coach of Team India, pressure is on Gautam Gambhir, but re cannot be a better way to turn tide than by beating Australia in Australia. However, in case orwise, furr problems may perve Gambhir's way. In supporting lines, as series that matters, Border Gavaskar Trophy is about to commence, a former Australian captain has raised doubts about Gambhir's acumen as a coach.

Tim Paine Doubts Gautam Gambhir's Prowess As Coach

While reflecting on Team India's consecutive series wins down under, when he was captain of or side, Tim Paine gave credit to Ravi Shastri for lifting spirits of side and mentioned that new coach Gautam Gambhir is totally different from Shastri. According to former Australian captain, upcoming India vs Australia BGT could prove to be a long summer for Indian coach Gautam Gambhir. Highlighting his recent reaction during a press conference, Paine stated that Gambhir's apparent inability to stay calm under pressure is a bigger concern than Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's form.

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“ir last two series wins out here y h Ravi Shastri who was fantastic. He created a great environment, players were energised, y played with passion, he sold m dream and motivated m in a really light-hearted enjoyable way," Paine said on SEN Rio.

“y (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 Indian cricket team.

“If your coach is 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 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 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, biggest concern for India right now isn’t Rohit Sharma’s batting, isn’t Virat Kohli’s batting, it’s ir coach and his ability to stay calm under pressure,” he ded.