Former cricketer Gautam Gambhir, who has played 58 Tests, 147 ODIs and 37 T20Is, feels that having experience of playing international cricket is not be the primary quality to become a successful coach. The cricketer-turned-politician opines a significant characteristic a coach should have to lead the team.
Gambhir, who last played for India in 2016, has dedicated 14 years of his life to international cricket. During that period, he has played under different coaches. He has also been part of domestic cricket and Indian Premier League (IPL) where he has also been the captain. So, the 38-year old Gambhir with his experience has said that a coach can not become successful only if he had played international cricket.
It’s not important that you have played a lot of cricket: Gautam Gambhir:
“It’s not important that you have played a lot of cricket, for you to be a very successful coach – probably, that’s right for a selector, but not for a coach,” Gautam Gambhir said on Star Sports Cricket Connected show.
“It is really not true that someone who hasn’t played international cricket or who hasn’t played enough cricket, can’t become a successful coach,” he added.
A coach feeds your mindset: Gautam Gambhir
According to him, the primary quality of a coach, especially in the 20-over format should be to instil a positive mindset among cricketers. Gautam also feels that it is the worst thing if a coach alters a player’s technique or teaches him a particular shot.
“What ultimately a coach does in a T20 format is he frees your mindset and feeds your mindset and make you hit those goals and those big shots,” said Gambhir.
“No one teaches you how to hit a lap shot or a reverse lap shot, no coach can do that. If someone is trying to do that to a player, he is harming him more than actually making him a better player,” he added
Gautam Gambhir has played several significant innings for India. He held the innings for India in the grand-finale of World Cup 2011 when Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag had lost their wickets. He scored 97 from 122 balls, guiding India to World Cup triumphs.