Gautam Gambhir's appointment as head coach of the Indian men's cricket team was a fait accompli after Kolkata Knight Riders won the IPL title this year. It was a memorable ghar wapsi for Gambhir, who had captained the franchise to title wins in 2012 and 2014. Midway through the season, Rahul Dravid announced that he was not interested in an extension of his tenure, which cleared the path for Gambbhir to take over.
While he boasts an impressive body of work in all three formats at the international and domestic levels, Gambhir's task is onerous considering the hugely successful tenures of Dravid, and before him, Ravi Shastri.
Under Dravid, India reached the final of ICC tournaments in all three formats in a fascinating 18-month period, culminating in the T20 World Cup victory that finally broke a 13year barren spell.
Under Shastri, India could not secure an ICC title, but they did win their first-ever series in Australia in 2018-19, followed by an astonishing repeat performance in 2020-21 with an injury-hit team that had looked like fodder for the revenge-hungry Aussies.
Against this backdrop, comparisons are inevitable. So, while Gambhir takes guard at a time when Indian cricket is riding a crest, expectations from India's manic fans have also risen exponentially; fundamentally from players, of course, but also from the coach, who now plays such a crucial role in the sport.
The frequency with which coaches in Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have been dispensed with in recent times highlights how demanding the job can be. In this respect, Indian cricket has been more steadfast, not dumping coaches (and/or captains) with every setback. But this does not diminish the onus and pressure.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July 28, 2024 من THE WEEK India.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July 28, 2024 من THE WEEK India.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Lessons in leadership
When I began my career at Hindustan Lever (as HUL was then called), I was deeply inspired by our chairman, Dr Ashok S. Ganguly.
Political colours
One of the greatest fashion statements of recent times was made in the Parliament's winter session by Rahul Gandhi and some opposition colleagues. India's most news-making politician (since his landmark Bharat Jodo Yatra) gave up his signature white polo T-shirt for a blue one.
Chat roam
Vox pop content is seeing an uptick in India, with creators making conversations on current and social issues fun and funny
Back home with BANNG
Michelin star-winning chef Garima Arora, who recently opened her first restaurant in India, on all things food and family
One supercalifragilisticexpialidocious New Year
Once Christmas is over, tension mounts in our home as the little woman and I start ticking off the days. We both remain on edge because we dread the coming of the New Year—a time when the whole world goes crazy and adopts resolutions. We, too, make New Year promises and our ‘list of past resolutions’ is very long and impressive. Unfortunately, we are complete failures at keeping them and our ‘list of resolutions not kept’ is equally long and equally impressive.
Six or out?
Cricket is a quasi-religion in India. And our pantheon of cricketers is worshipped with a fervour bordering on hysteria.
DOWN AND UNDER THE WEATHER
After their flop show in Australia, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will have to live on current form rather than past glory
The new in news
THE WEEK and DataLEADS partner to revolutionise news with fact-checks, data and Live Journalism
Hello Middle East
Reem Al-Hashimy, UAE minister of state for international cooperation, inaugurates a special Middle East section on THE WEEK website
BAIT CLICK
Dark patterns fool millions of Indians every day. The government is finally acting, but it just may not be enough
