Gautam Gambhir’s key task as India head coach will be man-management and not coaching a bunch of talented players in their respective skills, said former player and ex-chief selector Sandeep Patil on Friday.
Gambhir is set to start his tenure with a limited-overs tour of Sri Lanka comprising three T20Is and as many ODIs, with the first game in the shortest format set to be played on Saturday.
“I don’t think his job is to coach the Indian team. His job is to help the Indian team,”
“That’s how it works at the top level. You need player management. That will be the challenge for Gambhir.”
“He has done it and I am sure he will continue to do the same with the Indian cricket team,” said Patil on the sidelines of an event organised by Shrachi Rajasthan Tigers.
Patil, a member of India’s World Cup winning team in 1983, hoped Gambhir will continue to have success at international level after excelling in the IPL.
“Gambhir had done an exceptional job as a coach for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL. I hope that he continues to help the Indian team in the same way,” he added.
Patil said cricket has made significant progress in India since the country’s maiden title triumph in 1983.
