Gautam Gambhir was named the head coach of the Indian team after Rahul Dravid’s tenure ended with the T20 World Cup 2024 triumph in June. His stint with the Men in Blue began on a bitter-sweet note as India blanked Sri Lanka 3-0 in T20Is but lost the ODIs 0-2.
Having said that, Gambhir has a long road with stern challenges ahead. India’s next assignment is the home Test series against Bangladesh, starting September 19 in Chennai.
Ahead of the series, former India cricketer Ajay Jadeja has expressed confidence that Gautam Gambhir will push for an aggressive approach and will not allow Bangladesh to take initiative in the two-match rubber.
"It is very clear, his approach is aggressive. One thing is sure, there will never be a dull moment with him around, he will always try something. He will do what he believes," Jadeja said while speaking to the media on the sidelines of the Cricket Association of Bengal's annual awards function.
"He (Gambhir) will not be somebody who will sit back and let things flow. He will be out there, he will try things like we saw Suryakumar Yadav becoming captain suddenly. I am looking forward to the excitement we are going to see this year."
Asked whether he will offer suggestions to Gambhir, Jadeja said, "I hope he does not take suggestions. The reason why he is there is because of what he did and how he looks at it.
"I hope he does not take anybody's advice and change his approach because what has made you who you are is something that you should believe in and stick to. He can always get better."
Bangladesh are coming into the series on the back of a historic 2-0 sweep over Pakistan, but Jadeja said India are a "far superior" side.
"Any team which has come just after winning will always think they can win. But there is a difference between the Pakistan team at the moment with the India cricket team. The Indian team is a far superior team.
"But yes, from their (Bangladesh's) point of view, they will believe that since they have beaten Pakistan, why cannot they (beat India). But we are a better side, but they will definitely be a handful. They play spin well, they bowl spin, so conditions suit."
Asked about the Indian team's chances in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, Jadeja said, "November is far off but we have done well in Australia in the past. Why should we not think that we will do it again. We should only get better from there."
(With PTI Inputs)
