Former Indian opener batter Gautam Gambhir has been appointed as the head coach of the Indian National Cricket Team and the globe is reacting in their own way. Amid the proceedings, Shaheen Afridi and Dale Steyn have also come up with their view on Gambhir’s appointment.
The left-handed batter Gautam Gambhir is infamous for his sharp, unfiltered, and strong opinions. Renowned for his ruthless and ferocious approach on the field, he marks the dawn of a new era in Indian Cricket History. The declaration came on Tuesday from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah, following the end of Rahul Dravid’s tenure after India’s victorious campaign in the T20 World Cup 2024.
Former India opener Gautam Gambhir and ex-Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi clashed fiercely in their 2007 showdown between India and Pakistan. The first chapter of their heated rivalry ignited in the Kanpur game, where both were fined for their notorious spat. For nearly a decade, Gambhir and Afridi’s competitive fire burned brightly, fueling one of cricket’s most intense and relentless rivalries.
Sharing his thoughts on Gambhir’s appointment as India’s head coach, former Pakistan skipper Afridi said that the two-time World Cup winner has earned a big opportunity.
Talking to Star Sports, Shahid Afridi said, “I think it’s a big opportunity, and we need to see how he makes the most of it. I have seen his interviews, and he talks positively and is very straightforward.”
Former South African pacer Dale Steyn enthusiastically expressed his happiness and support for Gambhir’s appointment. Having shared the field with Gambhir on numerous occasions, Steyn lauded the former Indian opener’s aggression and fierceness, qualities he feels are sorely missing in modern-day cricket.
Steyn emphasized that the rise of franchise T20 leagues has led to players developing friendships across teams, diluting the intense competitive spirit that Gambhir embodies.
“I am a big fan of Gautam Gambhir. I love his aggression. He is one of the few Indians I ever played against who came back at you, and I like that. I think he is going to take that into the dressing room with guys like Virat and some of the other senior players who might not play as big a part anymore. I am not too sure. Not just in India, but in world cricket, we need guys who are a little bit more aggressive and play the game a little bit harder,” Steyn told Star Sports, as quoted by ANI.
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SOURCE- ANI and STAR SPORTS
