Gautam Gambhir's first assignment as Team India's head coach was a mixed one. While India dominated Sri Lanka to win the T20I series 3-0 in Palleleke, they were outplayed by the hosts in the ODI series in Colombo.
The Men in Blue lost the three-ODI series 2-0 after the first match ended in a tie. The tourists failed to chase down sub-250 targets in all games on turning pitches, including a dismal 138 all-out in the last fixture that saw them suffering a 110-run defeat.
However, former South Africa cricketer Jonty Rhodes isn’t reading too much into the Sri Lanka tour results as he believes Gambhir can hit the ground running once the adjustment in the team happens.
Rhodes, who had worked with Gambhir during his time with IPL team Lucknow Super Giants, recalled how Gambhir was involved in the decision-making at the franchise when KL Rahul was injured during the IPL 2023 season.
"It is fascinating because, you know, I only had the one season with GG at LSG where he was the mentor and KL had a very bad thigh strain halfway through the tournament. So, GG certainly was a lot more from a mentor point of view. Got a lot more in involved with decision-making, what was going on," Rhodes told reporters on the backdrop of the Pro Cricket League trophy and jersey unveiling event.
"And I know how passionate he is. You know, he looks for excellence on and off the field, but he doesn't expect players to do something that he never did or he won't do. So, I think from that point of view, he's somebody who's not gonna be lenient with anybody unless it's required because he's expecting. He just wants excellence. I mean, he wants the team to win, and it's not for his record or for what he can achieve."
"Every team that he's involved in, he's wanted to win desperately, and you see the way that he bats, the way that he captains. He's so passionate, so involved in the game. I think any time there's a change, whether it be the leadership from a captaincy point of view or from a coach and management, it's going to take an adjustment. So you know, once they find their feet, we know India has the strength and the talent pool and the depth of talent to certainly allow him to hit the ground and pick up speed very quickly in his coaching career," he added.
Jonty Rhodes also revealed that Gautam Gambhir is a jovial person off the field but keeps his serious persona in the dugout.
"He actually does, amazingly enough. But not the dugouts. Not at all. But that is important, because you can't have a coach who smiles when you take a wicket and then frowns when you drop a catch. You know, so that that sort of consistency, if it's the GG deadpan look, then you would rather have that sort of consistency. But yeah, he's certainly in the team environment off the field. He's certainly someone who is happy to smile," he said.
Under Gambhir’s guidance, India will next face Bangladesh at home. They are scheduled to play two Tests and three T20Is against Bangladesh from September 19 to October 12.
