"Let India have a bad game, then we will see what comes out" - Tamim Iqbal on Gautam Gambhir's character as Team India head coach
Veteran Bangladesh batter Tamim Iqbal feels that it is too early to judge Gautam Gambhir's tenure as Team India head coach. The former player began his stint with a tour of Sri Lanka, where the Men in Blue won the T20I series, but lost the ODI matches.
Gambhir's infamous intense personality and his tussles with Virat Kohli in the past were somewhat of a concern among fans and pundits. However, he has gelled with the squad quite well, ensuring a smooth transition from Rahul Dravid and Co.
Team India all-rounder Axar Patel had praised the environment that Gambhir has created after taking over a successful side.
“You can get carried away because India got success under Rahul Dravid and Ravi Shastri. And there's a chance that you don't want to change. But at the same time, it's important that you bring your own way. And the stories coming out of the dressing room are that people are relaxed, and there's an intent of winning Test matches,” Patel told JioCinema ahead of the second Test against Bangladesh.
Tamim Iqbal stated that he had no doubts over Gambhir's coaching credentials, with the recent IPL title being a testament to this fact. However, the Bangladesh international did express concern over how Gambhir would react when things do not go in his favor.
“When you're winning, you don't know the real character of the man. It's only when you lose a series, then you lose another, that the real character comes out. No doubt, he is a capable man, but it's too early. Let India have a bad game, then we will see what comes out,” Tamim Iqbal said on Jio Cinema.
Gambhir cut a diplomatic figure after a humbling 0-2 ODI series defeat against Sri Lanka away from home recently. The head coach has not had much to be concerned about in red-ball cricket so far after his reign began with a 280-run win over Bangladesh in Chennai.
Inevitable challenges lay ahead for Gautam Gambhir as Team India coach
Gambhir takes over a successful side fresh off an ICC title win, and the primary challenge for the former player is maintaining consistency and ensuring a smooth transition. India have several challenging assignments lined up in the near future, including a home Test series against New Zealand, the Border-Gavaskar series against Australia Down Under, and the 2025 Champions Trophy.
India could secure their first red-ball series win in the Gambhir era after claiming a 1-0 lead in the two-match home affair against Bangladesh. Live action from the second Test can be followed here.