Gautam Gambhir's childhood coach, Sanjay Bharadwaj, has offered a striking revelation about the cricketer, describing him as a 'kid' and addressing common misconceptions about his demeanour. Bharadwaj, who has been closely associated with Gambhir for over three decades, defended his former student against criticisms of arrogance.
In an interview with former U19 World Cup-winner Manjot Kalra on his YouTube channel, Bharadwaj explained, "Gautam Gambhir is like a child. Even now, he retains the innocence of a 12-year-old. He has no malice."
Bharadwaj elaborated that what some perceive as arrogance is actually Gambhir’s intense desire to win.
He praised Gambhir for his role in shaping the careers of young players, citing his genuine character and dedication. Bharadwaj highlighted Gambhir’s impact on players like pacer Navdeep Saini, who received an opportunity due to Gambhir’s support.
Bharadwaj also touched on Gambhir’s coaching style, noting that his approach focuses more on tactical aspects rather than technical details. "Gautam Gambhir will work on boosting morale and instilling confidence in players who may be unsure of themselves," Bharadwaj explained.
Gambhir’s tenure as Team India head coach began on a high note, with India achieving a 3-0 whitewash over Sri Lanka in the T20I series. Gambhir’s strategic insights, including giving opportunities to players like Rinku Singh and Suryakumar Yadav, have been widely praised.