“Gautam Gambhir Is a Fighter, Deeply Misunderstood”: Ravichandran Ashwin Stands For KKR Mentor Amidst ICT Coach Rumours

June 22, 2024 0 883

Ravichandran Ashwin recently backed Gautam Gambhir as a hungry man for winning and said he is generally misunderstood.

Former India batter Gautam Gambhir is often in the headlines, known for his controversial reputation, whether due to his eccentric personality or unique opinions. However, veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes Gambhir is deeply misunderstood.

At the launch of his book, ‘I Have the Streets: A Kutti Cricket Story,’ Ashwin recalled an incident from 2012. “I was playing my first full series. I only carried drinks during the first two years before the World Cup in 2011. Gautam gave me a lot of confidence at the beginning of my career. I was not used to someone beyond my state (Tamil Nadu) giving me that sort of confidence,” Ashwin said.

“Gautam Gambhir is a very misunderstood person. It’s all about perception. He is a fighter. The biggest issue with many of us is that we give hero status to someone in our minds and forget about everyone else. This is a sport, not a movie narrative. There are no heroes and villains. Gambhir is a competitor. His desire and hunger to win are unbelievable. I have massive respect for him,” Ashwin added.

ALSO READ | Ravichandran Ashwin Blasts Tiny Grounds in IPL: ‘If I Spit My Chewing Gum, It Would Go For a Six’

Gambhir has reportedly been shortlisted as a frontrunner for India’s head coach position following Rahul Dravid’s tenure, which ends in June. Gambhir recently attended an interview conducted by the BCCI committee, and Ashwin has expressed strong support for his potential appointment.

With Gambhir being a strong candidate for the head coach role, an announcement is expected by mid-July 2024. Recent reports suggested that VVS Laxman will lead India as the head coach for their tour to Zimbabwe, scheduled after the T20 World Cup. Laxman may serve as an interim coach following the end of Dravid’s tenure, with Gambhir’s appointment anticipated in the near future.