Former Indian cricketer makes bold statement on Gambhir's leadership after Sri Lanka ODI defeat

Uthappa praised Gambhir’s ability to foster a positive environment for players, helping them reach their full potential

PHOTO: AFP

Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa has expressed strong support for Gautam Gambhir’s leadership abilities as the new head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team.

Gambhir began his coaching tenure during the recent white-ball series against Sri Lanka. While India secured a 3-0 victory in the T20I series, Sri Lanka made a comeback by winning the ODI series 2-0, marking India’s first bilateral ODI series loss to Sri Lanka since 1997.

Speaking in an interview, Uthappa praised Gambhir’s ability to foster a positive environment for players, helping them reach their full potential. He emphasized that Gambhir is not just a great captain but also an exceptional leader who provides security and confidence to his players.

"He [Gambhir] will seek out major opportunities and strive to seize them. As a leader, I can vouch for his ability to create an environment that enables people to thrive. He is that kind of leader — more than just a great captain, he's also an excellent tactician and an exceptional leader of people," Uthappa said.

"He fosters a culture within the group that encourages success. Gautam Gambhir is a leader who provides security to his players, and we have seen that in action," he further added.

Uthappa also spoke about Gambhir’s ability to handle pressure and deliver in high-stakes situations. He expressed confidence that Gambhir will bring these qualities to his role as head coach, especially with crucial tournaments on the horizon.

"He's always been someone who thrives under pressure and has consistently sought out big stages to deliver. As far as I'm concerned, I see the same qualities in him as a leader within this group," he concluded.

Gambhir’s next challenge as head coach will be the two-match Test series against Bangladesh at home, starting on September 19. The Indian team is also set to play the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia later this year, followed by the ICC Champions Trophy in early 2025.