Kapil Dev opens up on Gautam Gambhir’s tenure, says coaches are not on the field, players must perform

1983 World Cup winning captain Kapil Dev has opened up on Gautam Gambhir’s coaching stint. Dev stressed that the onus is on players and captain to perform on the field and deliver consistent performances. Under Gautam Gambhir, India hasn’t had a great run after winning the T20 World Cup under Rahul Dravid’s tutelage.

Under Gambhir, India lost an ODI series against Sri Lanka by 2-0 after a long gap of 27 years. India was also whitewashed by New Zealand for the first time while playing in home conditions. Furthermore, India suffered a 1-3 series loss against Australia, who regained the Border-Gavaskar trophy after a decade.

Dev admitted that expectations are high from Gautam Gambhir but he isn’t on the pitch and the players must execute their plans.

“The expectations are high. The coaches are not on the field, but the captain and the team are on the ground. A new coach will come out with his own ideas and hope it will serve the country in a better sense. If he’s not, then people will raise their finger,” the 66-year-old former Indian skipper told Gulf News.

The former all-rounder said Gambhir has a different temperament as compared to former coaches – Ravi Shastri and Rahul Dravid.

“Gambhir is a slightly temperamental person. He’s different from Ravi Shastri and Rahul Dravid. Every coach has his own way of thinking, so let’s hope he will do better for the country,” Kapil said further.

Gambhir’s next assignment will be three ODIs and five T20Is against England. It has been reported that Gambhir’s stint will be reevaluated after the conclusion of Champions Trophy as India haven’t got the desired results under his coaching.

India will take on England in the first T20I at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on January 22.