Former India pacer Joginder Sharma has suggested that Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as head coach of the Indian cricket team might be short-lived, primarily due to Gambhir's outspoken nature. Gambhir, who took over as head coach last month following Rahul Dravid's departure after the T20 World Cup in June, saw India secure a 3-0 victory over Sri Lanka in his debut T20I series. However, the ODI series opener ended in a thrilling draw against Sri Lanka, with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli returning to the squad.
Despite Gambhir’s positive start, Joginder, who was part of the 2007 T20 World Cup-winning team with him, believes that Gambhir’s tenure may not last long.
"Though Gautam Gambhir is currently managing the team, I believe he may not stay in the role for too long," Joginder said on Shubhankar Mishra's podcast.
Joginder pointed out that Gambhir's direct approach and forthright nature could lead to conflicts, potentially affecting his longevity in the position.
"Gautam Gambhir often makes decisions that may not always be well-received by others. It’s possible that he might have disagreements with players—though I’m not referring to Virat Kohli. His decisions sometimes don’t align with everyone’s preferences," Joginder added.
Further elaborating, Joginder described Gambhir as someone who speaks his mind and avoids flattery.
"Gautam Gambhir is straightforward. He doesn’t seek approval from others. We acknowledge his contributions because he works sincerely and with great honesty," Joginder explained.