Gautam Gambhir & Gary Kirsten played key roles in 2011 WC triumph | PC- AFP
Team India is all set to begin yet another challenge, as they face Sri Lanka in a two-match Test series in the Islands nation. Although it's not just IND vs SL, it is also touted as Gautam Gambhir and Gary Kirsten.
Gambhir is at the helm of Indian team serving as the head coach, while the former India head coach is with Sri Lanka as their current coach. Notably, the duo played an integral part in India lifting the ODI World Cup after an exile of 28 years in 2011.
Gary Kirsten backs India to do well under Gautam Gambhir
Under head coach Gautam Gambhir, India have lost more than they have won in the Test format. However, India's 2011 World Cup-winning head coach has backed his mentee to do well at the top post with the Indian cricket team.
While backing Gambhir, Kirsten stressed on Team India's triumphs, i.e. the 2025 Champions Trophy and the 2026 T20 World Cup, along with KKR's third IPL title in 2024 with GG as the mentor.
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"He's a fantastic coach. He's had incredible success. He has won a T20 World Cup (2026) and the ICC Champions Trophy (2025). He's also had success in the IPL (Gambhir was the team mentor for 2024 IPL champs KKR). His record speaks for itself. I really enjoyed working with him when he was a player. He's a smart cricketer and I knew he'd have success as coach," Gary Kirsten told TOI.
"I'm not here to judge the Indian team. India are a quality side with tremendous depth. Our responsibility is to make sure we're ready."
How have India done under Gautam Gambhir's coaching?
Gautam Gambhir took over India's head coaching from Rahul Dravid, who had a winning percentage of 58.33% in 24 matches. However, under the current head coach, India have managed a bizarre winning percentage of 40.
Although the Gautam Gambhir-coached side has enjoyed the highs of Perth, Edgbaston and Oval, they have been whitewashed twice at home in the GG era. Gambhir has coached India in 20 Test matches, winning just 8 and losing 10 out of them, with two draws.
However, with the upcoming IND vs SL Tests, the cricketer-turned-coach would look to turn his fortunes around.
What can Gautam Gambhir learn from Gary Kirsten?
Regarded as one of the shrewdest minds in the Indian fraternity, Gautam Gambhir has always been known for never backing down. However, his ideologies and mindset have often been criticised by former greats and pundits.
That said, the ever-aggressive Gambhir could take a leaf out of Gary Kirsten's book, as the Sri Lankan coach is known for his zen, calm nature, which is ideally suited to the longest format.
Nevertheless, India vs Sri Lanka’s two-match Test series will kick off at Galle on August 15, before the caravan moves to Colombo (SSC) for the second Test on August 23.
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