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CAB President Snehashish Ganguly supports India Head Coach Gautam Gambhir despite recent run of poor performances.
Gautam Gambhir is under pressure after India’s failures in the ODI and Test formats. (Image: Sportzpics)
Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) President Snehashish Ganguly reckons that the India Head Coach, Gautam Gambhir, should be given more time amidst the team’s poor run of form of late.
Despite coming in with a big reputation after mentoring the Kolkata Knight Riders to the Indian Premier League title in 2024, Gambhir’s era has not gone off to a great start, particularly in the ODI and Test formats.
The three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, the home Test series against New Zealand, and their tour of Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has seen the Men in Blue suffering crushing losses, which has put Gambhir along with the senior members of the side under the spotlight. Gambhir racked up unwanted records in the process. This includes India’s first ODI series defeat to Sri Lanka in 27 years, their first whitewash at home after 24 years, and the first series defeat to Australia in a decade, respectively.
But Ganguly suggests that the Head Coach needs more time to get the best results and suggests that his success with KKR after over a decade shows his quality. This also comes at a time where reports of a rift within the Indian dressing room has been running rampant, yet the CAB President has backed the coach to come good.
“I feel happy because of his approach. As a coach, he got success for KKR after 12 years. We should give him some time. It has been some months since he has been handling the team after Rahul Dravid,” Ganguly told ANI.
Now the focus for the Indian team will be on the upcoming white-ball series against England, which will serve as their preparations for the Champions Trophy 2025, a tournament where India would have to perform well to redeem themselves. The England series begins with a 5-match T20I series, with the first game being held in familiar territory, the Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata. This would be followed by a three-match ODI series as well, where senior stars like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are expected to return to begin their preparations.
Another positive for the Indian team is the return of their 2023 ODI World Cup hero, Mohammed Shami, who will make his return to international cricket after over a year. Ganguly remains excited to see the Bengal pacer back in Indian colours and hopes to see him back to his very best.
The most important thing is the whole Kolkata crowd will be watching Mohammed Shami,” Ganguly shared.
“He came back after a year and bowled very well for Bengal. I was observing his bowling, and he seemed to be in great shape. He looks like the old Mohammed Shami—fit and raring to go,” he added.