Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi expressed optimism about Gautam Gambhir’s appointment as the head coach of the Indian team. Afridi noted that Gambhir has been outspoken in his views, and this new role presents a good opportunity for him to make his mark.

On July 10th, the BCCI appointed Gautam Gambhir as the new head coach of the Indian national cricket team, succeeding Rahul Dravid. Dravid’s tenure ended after guiding India to the T20 World Cup championship in the Caribbean.

“This new opportunity is promising. It will be interesting to see how he capitalizes on it. Based on the many interviews I’ve seen, he comes across as articulate and positive in his speech. He also seems bluntly direct in his communication style,” Afridi said on Star Sports.

Jacques Kallis, Gambhir’s former Knight Riders teammate, expressed unwavering confidence that the ex-KKR captain will succeed as the head coach of Team India. Kallis praised Gambhir’s aggressive approach, noting his leadership will be valuable for developing young players.

“Gauti’s transition to coaching is an exciting development. He possesses an exceptional cricket IQ and will bring a fiery, aggressive approach. Gauti’s passion for the game will undoubtedly inspire the players, who are sure to benefit immensely from his guidance. His addition to the Indian coaching staff will undoubtedly elevate the team’s performance,” said Kallis.

Gautam Gambhir’s surprise appointment as the new head coach has generated significant interest in the cricket community. Despite lacking prior coaching experience, the former Indian opener enjoys the full backing of the BCCI to deliver results for the national side.

Gambhir’s strong tactical understanding and his successful tenures as mentor for the Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2024 and the Lucknow Super Giants in 2022-2023 have bolstered his case for the high-profile role.

The southpaw will take charge of the Indian team in the white ball series against Sri Lanka from July 27.