Gambhir Says Strong Understanding With Rohit Goes Beyond Captain-Coach Dynamic
New Delhi — India head coach Gautam Gambhir said his relationship with veteran opener and former captain Rohit Sharma goes well beyond the traditional captain-coach dynamic, describing a long-standing understanding built from their years as teammates.
Gambhir and Rohit are set to reunite in the dressing room as India begin their home season against the West Indies in the first of three ODIs in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.
“Rohit and my relationship wasn’t just captain and coach. When Rohit came into the team, I was a senior player,” Gambhir told JioStar.
He said their familiarity with each other’s approach has made working together easier.
“Rohit has known me since then. So, often when you have played together, things become very easy. And in fact, he knows my thinking; I know his thinking. Because tomorrow I might have some other thinking, the captain might have some other thinking, but ultimately, whatever is in the best interest of the team, if that’s the final decision, then nothing can be better than that,” Gambhir said.
He added that his experience with India’s captains has been shaped by a shared focus on the team.
“And that’s why I said that with all four captains I have worked with, this has been my experience with them, that everyone’s focus has been Indian cricket,” he said.
Since taking charge in July 2024, Gambhir has worked with Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill across formats. He praised all four for putting the team ahead of individual interests.
“I have worked with four captains: Rohit, Surya, now with Shubman and Shreyas. All the captains I’ve worked with, everyone’s first intention has always been team first. And I am very fortunate that I have worked with four such people who have always put the team ahead of themselves,” Gambhir said.
He said differences in ideology or game-reading are less important when the overall intent remains aligned.
“Ideology can change, your thinking can change, your perspective on reading the game can change, but as long as your intention is right, it makes life a lot easier for any support staff,” he said.
Gambhir also reflected on his past work with Iyer, whom he had previously worked with at Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi.
“With Shreyas, I had worked with him in KKR. Before that, when I handed over my captaincy to Shreyas in 2018 for Delhi, I felt that he had that leadership quality. Now, I have got the opportunity to work with him again,” he said.
On Gill, Gambhir praised the young captain for the way he has handled leadership responsibilities.
“With Shubman, he is young. If you get captaincy on a tour of England, that too in five Test matches, and if you push someone into the deep sea, either you will swim out really well or you will drown. But the way Shubman has handled Test cricket, it has been brilliant, and I think we will see the best of Shubman in the coming years,” he said. (Source: IANS)
