R Ashwin’s strong words on Gautam Gambhir’s 'team before individuals' approach: 'Many people have different opinions'

Ashwin backed Gambhir for his team-first mindset, highlighting how the former opener values collective success over individual glory.

Updated on: Mar 17, 2026, 19:53:46 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Veteran all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has praised India head coach Gautam Gambhir for prioritising the team above individual reputations. Since taking charge, Gambhir has remained in the spotlight, with mixed results shaping his tenure. India endured two home Test series defeats, while senior figures like Ravichandran Ashwin (from all formats), Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma stepped away from the longest format.

Gautam Gambhir has often talked about his team first approach. (PTI)

However, the picture has been far brighter in white-ball cricket. Under Gambhir’s guidance, India clinched both the T20 World Cup and the Champions Trophy in successive years, underlining a strong limited-overs core. His influence has grown significantly during this phase, especially as the side navigates a transition in Tests and T20Is. While the T20 setup already looks settled after World Cup success, the red-ball unit is still evolving and faces a challenging road ahead.

Ashwin backed Gambhir for his team-first mindset, highlighting how the former opener values collective success over individual glory. He noted that Gambhir’s approach of crediting the entire side is something he deeply respects and admires.

“I like Gautam, and many people may have different opinions about him, but he is someone who always puts the team ahead of individuals,” he said. “He credits the team, not individuals, and that’s something I admire," Ashwin said at RevSportz conclave.

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After India's T20 World Cup triumph, Gambhir emphasised the team's collective efforts rather than praising the individual performances in the mega event.

Ashwin aligns with Gambhir's approach as he bluntly stated that, "There is more to Indian cricket than just a couple of people.”

When Ashwin realised his time was up

Meanwhile, the spin wizard brought the curtain down on his international career midway through the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after being left out of the Perth Test. He made the decision public during the post-match press conference in Brisbane, a call that underlined the changing dynamics within the side. With Washington Sundar getting the nod ahead of him, Ashwin sensed the team was moving in a different direction. Reflecting on that phase, he admitted Perth was the turning point, where it became clear that his role in India’s Test setup was drawing to a close.

“At Perth, I was the senior bowler. Washi played that Test, and I realised that my time was up,” he said.

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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