Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has shed light on Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as India’s white-ball head coach ahead of 2025 Asia Cup. Gambhir has done a brilliant job as a white-ball coach since taking over the baton from Rahul Dravid.
India has ticked the right boxes in T20Is under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav. Furthermore, the Men in Blue won the Champions Trophy 2025 despite the absence of gun-fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah.
Chopra lauded Gambhir for backing four spinners in the Champions Trophy and said the selection yielded the desired result with Varun Chakravarthy becoming the trump card.
“Not many ODIs have happened. Only 11 matches have been played, but it includes the Champions Trophy win. Once you have won the Champions Trophy, I think this is the pinnacle. Only one ICC event has happened in his tenure, and you have lifted the trophy there,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“The team selection was slightly against the grain. There were four spinners, and you played all four. That was phenomenal. Varun Chakaravarthy played and he became your trump card. There you have to give him the credit. There was criticism, but he stuck to his guns. You lifted the trophy without Jasprit Bumrah. Thumbs up to you with both hands there,” he added.
The renowned commentator showered praise on Gambhir for getting the best out of the players in T20I cricket and backing them to the hilt.
“He has an impeccable record in T20Is. In T20 cricket, he has created a new template. It will be interesting to see how Shubman Gill fits into this template as an opener. Considering the number of chances and confidence Sanju Samson was given, it seems like you invest in people and back them to the hilt,” he said.
Chopra said Gambhir has played no role in giving the T20I vice-captaincy to Shubman Gill and the batter’s return to the shortest format.
“You might say that he is not doing it now. Selection is the selectors’ job. The coach’s job is to play players from the team provided. I don’t think you should be looking at Gautam Gambhir at all for Shubman opening or becoming the vice-captain,” Chopra observed.
India will begin their Asia Cup campaign against the UAE on September 10.
