India’s newly-appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir is all set to begin his tenure with the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, starting on Saturday (July 27).
Gambhir has been roped in by the BCCI with a lot of expectations after he mentored Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to the IPL title earlier this year.
Former India chief selector Sandeep Patil also has high hopes from Gambhir, who has been assigned in the high-profile role for a period of three and a half years.
According to Patil, Gambhir’s primary challenge in his new role will be man-management and not coaching a bunch of talented players.
"I don't think his job is to coach the Indian team. His job is to help the Indian team,” Patil told PTI Videos in an exclusive chat.
“That's how it works at the top level. You need player management. That will be the challenge for Gambhir. He has done it and I am sure he will continue to do the same with the Indian cricket team," he added.
Patil, who was part of India's 1983 World Cup winning team, hoped that Gambhir will be able to replicate his IPL success at the international level.
"Gambhir had done an exceptional job as a coach for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL. I hope that he continues to help the Indian team in the same way,” he stated.
Sandeep Patil backed star batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who retired from T20Is after winning the World Cup last month, to continue featuring in the longer formats of the game.
"Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are still doing extremely well and there is no question of an Indian team without them. I wish the Indian team all the best wherever they are playing and whatever tournament they are playing, they are bound to do exceedingly well,” he remarked.
Commenting on India’s newly-appointed T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, Patil said: "Surya comes from Mumbai and is a very dear friend of mine. He has been given the captaincy and he deserved it. I wish him all the best.”
Patil also acknowledged cricket’s significant progress in India since the country's maiden World Cup triumph in 1983.
“Like every Indian, I wish the Indian cricket team good luck. I am happy that I am part of 1983 and the progress the Indian team has made over the years has been commendable,” he said.
The 67-year-old highlighted the importance to be a contender in all sports. "Cricket has changed over time, so has coaching and the approach to sports. We need to ensure India can become a contender in all sports and all avenues of sports,” he concluded.
(With PTI Inputs)
