South Africa tour of India 2019
Gautam Gambhir Says He Is Accountable to Team, Not Social Media
Gautam Gambhir, head coach of the India national cricket team, said he does not consider himself accountable to social media critics after India’s emphatic victory in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup final against New Zealand.
Speaking after the match, Gambhir dedicated the title to several key figures in Indian cricket, including former head coach Rahul Dravid, National Cricket Academy head VVS Laxman, chief selector Ajit Agarkar and former BCCI secretary Jay Shah. He praised their contributions to Indian cricket and acknowledged the support they had provided during challenging moments in his coaching tenure.
Gambhir noted that Dravid had left Indian cricket in a strong position and credited Laxman for his significant work at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence, which continues to develop future players for the national team. He also commended Agarkar for his honesty and dedication despite facing criticism in the public domain.
The coach revealed that Jay Shah was one of the few people who supported him during difficult phases, including disappointing series results against New Zealand and South Africa. Gambhir said Shah’s trust in appointing him as head coach, despite his lack of prior experience in the role, played an important role in his journey.
Addressing criticism on social media, Gambhir said his responsibility lies only with the players in the dressing room. According to him, a coach’s success ultimately depends on the performance and courage of the players.
He highlighted that India’s approach in ICC tournaments had changed significantly, with the team focusing on aggressive batting and targeting scores around 250 rather than conservative totals. Gambhir said the strategy reflected the team’s fearless mindset and willingness to take risks in the T20 format.
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