Gary Kirsten shuts down doubts over Gautam Gambhir’s India coaching tenure: ‘He’s a smart cricketer…’

Having seen Gambhir closely as a player, Kirsten believes the 44-year-old’s achievements since moving into coaching have justified the faith placed in him.

Updated on: Aug 14, 2026, 08:59:10 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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India’s 2011 World Cup-winning coach Gary Kirsten has backed Gautam Gambhir to enjoy a successful stint as India’s head coach. Gambhir has already guided the team to two ICC titles, the Champions Trophy in 2025 and the T20 World Cup in 2026, but his coaching methods and tactical decisions have continued to attract scrutiny. India’s struggles against spin in Tests have raised concerns, while the team also suffered back-to-back T20I series defeats to Ireland and England. In ODIs, India are still trying to settle on the right combination, adding to the pressure on Gambhir. With next year’s ODI World Cup approaching, expectations will be high for the former India opener to deliver another major title.

Gary Kirsten throws his weight behind Gautam Gambhir amid growing pressure. (PTI)

Kirsten, who worked with Gambhir during his playing days in the Indian team, has backed his former colleague to enjoy a successful stint as India’s head coach. Having seen Gambhir closely as a player, the former South Africa coach believes the 44-year-old’s achievements since moving into coaching have justified the faith placed in him. Kirsten pointed to Gambhir’s success with India and in the IPL, while also highlighting the cricketing intelligence he displayed during his playing career.

“He’s a fantastic coach. He’s had incredible success. He has won a T20 World Cup (2026) and the ICC Champions Trophy (2025). He’s also had success in the IPL (Gambhir was the team mentor for 2024 IPL champs Kolkata Knight Riders). His record speaks for itself. I really enjoyed working with him when he was a player. He’s a smart cricketer and I knew he’d have success as coach," Kirsten told Times of India.

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“Privileged one to work with Indian players”: Kirsten

Kirsten also reflected on his time as India's head coach, describing his three-year stint as a deeply rewarding experience. He spoke highly of the quality within the Indian dressing room and credited the players for making him feel welcome while allowing him to contribute to the team. Now in charge of Sri Lanka, Kirsten said he has carried the same approach into his current role, treating the responsibility with the same level of commitment and seriousness.

“It was a great three years and a privileged one to work with Indian players,” Kirsten said. “There was a lot of skill in that dressing room. What I appreciated was that they accepted me into their space and felt I could add value. I’ve approached the Sri Lankan role with the same seriousness.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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