[Watch] Gautam Gambhir seems to be in a cheerful mood during IND vs SL 3rd T20I
Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir appeared to be a in good mood ahead of the side's ongoing third and final T20I against Sri Lanka. The match is being played at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele (Tuesday, July 30).
Broadcaster Sony Sports Network shared a video on its official Instagram handle. As seen in the video, Gambhir was smiling while chatting with Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav before the toss. You can watch the clip below:
Gautam Gambhir replaced Rahul Dravid as India's head coach after the latter's stint ended after the 2024 T20 World Cup triumph in July. The ongoing Sri Lanka tour is Gambhir's first assignment as the coach of the national team.
The former opening batter's stint began on a positive note, with India claiming an unassailable 2-0 lead by winning the first two T20Is of the series. The third fixture is a dead rubber as the visitors have already clinched the series.
"I think he's the right age where he's young, he'll come with fresh ideas" - Ravi Shastri on Gautam Gambhir
Former India head coach and cricketer Ravi Shastri is confident of Gautam Gambhir having a successful run as a coach. He pointed out that the 42-year-old has already worked with many Indian players during his mentorship stints in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Suggesting that Gambhir will come in with fresh ideas, Shastri said on The ICC Review Show:
"He's contemporary, he just had a great season in the IPL. I think he's the right age where he's young, he'll come with fresh ideas. He knows most of the players, especially in the white-ball format, having been part of teams in the IPL. So I think it's refreshing."
After the completion of the three-match T20I series, India and Sri Lanka will battle it out against each other in three ODIs. The first contest will take place at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday, August 2.