In a candid conversation with Pakistan’s pace legend Wasim Akram, former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir expressed his strong opinion that teams like India and Pakistan should be coached by individuals from their respective countries. This statement comes amid uncertainty surrounding Rahul Dravid’s continuation as India’s head coach, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) expressing intent to extend his contract post the 2023 World Cup.
While the official signing of Dravid’s extension remains pending, VVS Laxman, Dravid’s long-time India teammate and the head of cricket at the National Cricket Academy, is currently coaching the Indian team in the ongoing five-match T20I series against Australia.
Speaking on Sportskeeda, Gambhir emphasized the emotional connection an Indian coach brings, stating, “Countries like India and Pakistan should be coached by an Indian or a Pakistani. When I had said, people asked, but we won the World Cup under Gary Kirsten. But the emotion that a Rahul Dravid has for that blue or white t-shirt, no foreign coach can ever have. Same for a Pakistani for that green or white shirt. We have such a rich history; we don’t need to be looking outside. We are not a nation that started cricket just 10 or 15 years ago. We have had players who won us World Cups.”
Gambhir urged the importance of emotions in sports and advocated for continuity if Dravid desires an extension, stating, “If Rahul Dravid wants an extension, give him. Or else, an Indian only should be India’s head coach.”
Wasim Akram echoed Gambhir’s sentiments, expressing satisfaction with India’s coaching staff during the 2023 World Cup, where the team reached the final but lost to Australia. Gambhir highlighted the strong connection Indian coaches have at the grassroots level, compensating for any potential lack in presentation skills compared to foreign coaches.
