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

After a disastrous start at the helm as the head coach of Team India, the pressure is on Gautam Gambhir, but there cannot be a better way to turn the tide than by beating Australia in Australia. However, in the case otherwise, further problems may pervade Gambhir's way. In supporting lines, as the series that matters, the 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 the captain of the other side, Tim Paine gave credit to Ravi Shastri for lifting the spirits of the side and mentioned that new coach Gautam Gambhir is totally different from Shastri. According to the former Australian captain, the upcoming India vs Australia BGT could prove to be a long summer for the 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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“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.

“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.