Strict rules, no wife, new whips: Is Gambhir, Greg Chappell 2.0?

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Gambhir era of Indian Cricket

Gautam Gambhir took over as India’s head coach, succeeding Rahul Dravid, who led the team to a T20 World Cup victory and now is in a controversy for BCCI’s newly released 10 point whip. Will talk about this and everything about his era in the newsletter further.

Star of new era: Gambhir’s appointment in July 2024 brought hope for a new era, but after a disastrous Test campaign against New Zealand and Australia, the two-time World Champion coach has introduced measures to end the 'superstar culture' in Indian cricket.

• India’s ICC trophy drought since the 2013 Champions Trophy was a glaring issue. Despite strong group-stage showings, the team has stumbled in two World Cup finals (2014 T20, 2023 ODI), one Champions Trophy final (2017), two WTC finals (2021, 2023), and four semi-finals.
• As a player, Gambhir was a clutch performer, top-scoring in the finals of the 2007 T20 and 2011 ODI World Cups. His ability to deliver when it mattered most will serve as a guiding light for the team, which has struggled to replicate such performances in crunch moments.

Disappointing performance: Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as India’s head coach has been a tale of highs and lows. He began on a promising note, guiding India to a commanding 3-0 T20I series victory against Sri Lanka. This early success showcased the potential of players like Washington Sundar and hinted at a bright future under Gambhir's leadership.

• However, the optimism was short-lived as India suffered a shocking 0-2 defeat in the ODI series against Sri Lanka, marking their first series loss to the island nation in nearly three decades. The underwhelming batting performances in ODIs exposed deep-seated issues within the lineup.
• In Tests, Gambhir’s leadership saw India bounce back impressively with a clean sweep against Bangladesh (2-0) and a dominant 3-0 T20I series win. These victories were characterized by aggressive cricket and standout performances, offering hope for a resurgence.
• Yet, the momentum crumbled in a disastrous home Test series against New Zealand, where India lost all three matches, including one with a humiliating score of 46—their lowest in history. This marked India’s first home Test series loss since 2012.
• Further disappointment followed as India relinquished the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to Australia, ending an eight-year unbeaten streak in the iconic series. And India for the first time failed to qualify for the World Test Championship finals.

Attack on Superstar culture: In light of these criticisms, the BCCI has taken steps to address the issues stemming from this superstar culture. Under head coach Gautam Gambhir, new rules have been introduced to foster team spirit and ensure that player selection is based on current performance rather than past achievements.

• According to Point No. 4, "Personal staff (e.g., personal managers, chefs, assistants and security) are to be restricted on tours or series unless explicitly approved by the BCCI". BCCI said that - "Players are not permitted to engage in personal shoots or endorsements during an ongoing series or tour".
• The second point makes it clear that "All players are expected to travel with the team to and from matches and practice sessions. Separate travel arrangements with families are discouraged to maintain discipline and team cohesion". This is also an issue for the senior as Virat rarely travels with the team since Covid-19. Even during the Australia series, Virat and Bumrah travelled separately.

• The new guidelines regarding cricketers' families state that "Players absent from India for more than 45 days during overseas tours can be joined by their partners and children (under 18) for one visit per series (format-wise) of up to a two-week period". In the recent past, Rohit, Bumrah and Virat have all travelled with their families and this rule will most certainly impact the three senior stars.

What Gambhir said about “Superstar culture” before becoming the coach??

Arnab’s take on Superstar culture:

Comparison with Chappell era: Gautam Gambhir's tenure as India's head coach has drawn parallels to Greg Chappell's controversial stint, with both eras marked by internal discord, public controversies, and challenges in team cohesion.

• Under Gambhir's leadership, reports have surfaced of significant internal strife. Notably, Gambhir accused Sarfaraz Khan of leaking confidential team information during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, leading to a strained atmosphere within the squad.
• Additionally, Gambhir publicly reprimanded bowling coach Morne Morkel for tardiness during a training session, further highlighting internal tensions.
• Similarly, Greg Chappell's tenure was fraught with disputes, most famously with then-captain Sourav Ganguly. Chappell questioned Ganguly's commitment and fitness, leading to a highly publicized fallout that disrupted team harmony.
• Moreover, Chappell faced allegations from senior players, including Sachin Tendulkar, who accused him of attempting to undermine their positions within the team.

Leadership and Communication Challenges: Both coaching eras have been criticized for poor communication and leadership issues. Under Gambhir, the Indian team experienced fragmentation, with reports of players forming cliques and a lack of unified celebrations even after significant victories.

• Gambhir's confrontational approach, including public scoldings of senior players like Rohit Sharma, has been seen as detrimental to team morale.
• Chappell's approach was similarly divisive. His direct and often abrasive communication style led to resistance from senior players who felt disrespected and marginalized. Chappell's lack of cultural sensitivity and failure to build consensus further alienated team members, resulting in a fractured dressing room.

Performance inconsistencies have plagued both coaching periods. Under Gambhir, India suffered unprecedented losses, including a home Test series whitewash against New Zealand and the loss of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to Australia after an eight-year dominance.

• Selection decisions, such as sidelining experienced players in favor of those aligned with Gambhir's vision, have been contentious and questioned by cricket analysts.
• During Chappell's tenure, India faced early exits from major tournaments, including the 2007 World Cup. His selection policies, perceived as favoring certain players while sidelining established performers, led to instability and lack of continuity in the team.

Back to basics: After a two big losses against Oceania countries, Gambhir has advocated for players, including established stars, to return to domestic cricket, such as the Ranji Trophy, to regain their consistency and sharpen their skills. This has sparked potential changes for players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and others.

• Rohit Sharma has not played domestic cricket since 2013, despite being a key figure for India in international cricket. Under Gambhir’s philosophy, there has been a push for him to re-engage with domestic cricket to test his form and fitness, particularly in the longer formats of the game. Recently, he was seen practicing with Mumbai’s Ranji team.

• Virat Kohli, one of the most prominent figures in Indian cricket, has also been under scrutiny for his recent lack of consistency, especially in Test cricket. Kohli’s absence from domestic cricket in recent years has led to discussions around the potential benefits of him returning to the domestic circuit. There are reports that the player might return to the domestic tournament, there were also reports that he could play county in England to prepare for the upcoming test series against the three lions,
• In addition to these star players, Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan were notably stripped of their central contracts after a series of inconsistent performances. This decision emphasized the need for players to prove their worth, not just in international cricket but also through strong domestic performances.

Champions Trophy, Gambhir’s last attempt? The Champions Trophy 2025 is shaping up to be a decisive moment for Gautam Gambhir as India’s head coach. Following a turbulent tenure marked by both early promise and significant setbacks, this tournament could determine his legacy in Indian cricket and his future in the role.

• If Gambhir fails to deliver an ICC title in this high-stakes tournament, his tenure may be remembered as one of missed opportunities, and his position as head coach could come under scrutiny.
• Conversely, a victory could not only cement his legacy but also establish him as the architect of a rejuvenated Indian cricket team capable of thriving under pressure. The Champions Trophy 2025 is, undoubtedly, Gambhir’s make-or-break moment.

Clip du jour

We have more sports other than cricket, here’s two World Champions Vishwanathan Anand and D Gukesh in an unseen avatar

What’s happening | No tickets no tension

British rock band Coldplay's concert, scheduled for January 26 in Ahmedabad, will be live-streamed on the OTT platform Disney+ Hotstar. The band is currently performing in various locations across the globe as part of their "Music of the Spheres World Tour."

Hi, I’m Aniket Mishra, the editor of this newsletter. I’d love to hear some feedback on the newsletter. WhatsApp me directly and tell me what you think.