Dale Steyn on Gautam Gambhir: Former South African fast bowler Dale Steyn expressed happiness over the appointment of Gautam Gambhir as the head coach of Team India, saying that his aggression is needed in world cricket. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah announced on Tuesday that Gambhir has been appointed as the new head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team (Gautam Gambhir Team India Head Coach). Speaking on Star Sports, Steyn said about Gambhir that he has shared the field with him many times and he was one of those players who responded to the bowlers with aggression, which is missing from cricket nowadays as the franchises are playing T20. Due to the popularity of the league, players interact with each other more.
Dale Steyn said about Gautam Gambhir
“I’m a big fan of Gautam Gambhir. I love his aggression. He’s one of the few Indians I’ve played against who counter-attacks against you, and I like that. I think he Will take it to the dressing room with players like Virat and some other senior players, who perhaps don’t play that big a role, not just in India but in world cricket. “Who are a little more aggressive and play the game a little harder.”
Steyn also praised Gambhir for being “street-smart and smart” as a cricketer. “We all play against each other in the league, and we become quite friendly and friends. I like that he’s very aggressive on the field, but off the field he’s a gentleman. He’s a street guy, Very smart cricketer and he has a great cricket brain. So I think from that point of view, he is going to be fantastic for them as well,” Steyn said about the former Indian batsman.
Gambhir was a left-handed opening batsman of the Indian team and worked as a mentor for the Kolkata Knight Riders team in the Indian Premier League 2024. Under Gambhir’s guidance, KKR won its third IPL trophy this season. This left-handed player played an important role in Team India’s victory in ICC T20 World Cup 2007 and ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, playing match-winning innings in the final. Representing India in 242 matches, Gambhir scored 10,324 runs at an average of 38.95 in 283 innings with 20 centuries and 63 half-centuries. His best score was 206.
Rahul Dravid’s tenure as the head coach of Team India ended after the conclusion of the final match of the T20 World Cup 2024, where India defeated South Africa by seven runs to win the coveted trophy after 17 years. Remembering the final of the T20 World Cup 2024, Virat Kohli and Axar Patel’s aggressive partnership took India closer to their dream by reaching a competitive total of 176/7. Despite a nervy defence, the Men in Blue defended the total and secured a 7-run victory to clinch their second T20 World Cup title.