‘Certainly got some characteristics of successful coach’: Andy Flower backs Gambhir to succeed in Team India role

Former Zimbabwe captain Andy Flower has backed Gautam Gambhir to be successful in his stint as India’s head coach. Gambhir has been given a contract till the end of the ODI World Cup 2027 and has at least three years to take Indian cricket to new heights.

Meanwhile, Flower observed Gambhir from close quarters while working with him for Lucknow Super Giants. While Flower served as the franchise’s head coach, Gambhir was the team’s mentor for two years. The duo helped the franchise in qualifying for the playoffs for two successive seasons in 2022 and 2023. Furthermore, Gambhir played a key role as a mentor to take KKR to glory in IPL 2024.

Flower noted that Gambhir is not a conventional coach but he will be a great motivator for the players.

“He’s certainly got some of the characteristics of a successful coach. He hasn’t really coached, though, has he? He is not your conventional coach. It would probably be better to describe him as an inspirational leader than a coach. That might be more accurate,” Flower said as quoted from ESPNcricinfo.

“He’s a guy that has the conviction and courage of his own beliefs and principles that will allow other people to really want to follow him. Followers or teams like to trust that their leader has the courage of his convictions. And GG definitely has that. He has strong opinions. He knows where he wants to go. He’s willing to make tough decisions. He will have a very clear idea of the type of cricket that he wants his teams to play.”

Commenting on the difference between coaching in franchise cricket and International cricket, Flower said, “The biggest difference between the two jobs [franchise and international cricket] is that in the international arena, you are developing a team, and you are developing individuals with a medium- to long-term outlook. Franchise cricket is more about short-term results and getting a bunch of disparate individuals together heading in one direction and believing in something in a very short space of time.”

Gambhir has kicked off his tenure on a high, winning the first two matches against Sri Lanka to take an impregnable lead of 2-0 in the series.