‘It’s never easy to fill those shoes’- Dinesh Karthik backs Gautam Gambhir despite poor start to coaching stint

The Indian team’s performance under Gautam Gambhir as head coach has been quite dismal. In the final two Test series against Australia and New Zealand, the squad suffered two heartbreaking defeats, so excluding itself from the World Test Championship (WTC) Final qualifying.

Given the team’s recent results, doubts have already been raised about Gambhir’s effectiveness as coach. Despite his shortcomings, several players continue to support the former two-time world champion in spite of the harsh criticism.

In the meantime, the 43-year-old is attempting to replace Rahul Dravid, who had a terrific time as coach and continues to generate excellent results in the Twenty20 Internationals, and has received backing from former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik.

Gautam Gambhir has entered the game at a very difficult moment, so I believe you have to give him a little leeway. Dinesh Karthik said, “It’s never easy to replace those shoes after Rahul Dravid’s brilliant regime.

He has achieved tremendous success in T20 cricket, where he has produced numerous young guys. He has, I dare say, had a tremendous amount of effect over them. Nevertheless, he has had a really difficult time in Test cricket. The Chennai-born player continued, “Yes, the Bangladesh series was a success, and I think after that, things have just gone downhill for him.”

Is Gambhir satisfied with the players he currently has?, Dinesh Karthik

In addition, Dinesh Karthik has discussed whether Gambhir was dissatisfied with his team in red-ball cricket. He brought up his recent press conference on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, in which he stated that he wants them to decide on the team’s future and ask whether he is satisfied with the current group.

“He wants them to decide what they think is best, but I believe the most important choice he has to make is whether or not he is really happy with the group of players right now. Does he have the power to affect their choices? Are they the same as his way of thinking? What is his stance on the ideal appearance of the Test team? Are these players blending in, too? Wow, if that’s true. You must, of course, determine the best course of action going forward if not,” Karthik stated.