Gautam Gambhir, former cricketer and now head coach, celebrated a significant personal and professional victory as Team India triumphed in a historic Test match against Bangladesh in Kanpur. Rishabh Pant’s match-winning four on a challenging pitch brought joy not only to the team but also to Gambhir, whose 20-year-old cricketing wound has finally been healed.
This Test match was unique in many ways. Played at the Green Park Stadium, the game was interrupted by rain on the first three days, with only 35 overs bowled initially. Despite these setbacks, the Indian team delivered a resounding win within the final two days, dismantling Bangladesh spectacularly. However, this victory held a deeper significance for Gambhir, as it symbolized the redemption of a career disappointment from his early days as a player.
A 20-Year-Old Wound Healed for Gambhir
In 2004, Gautam Gambhir made his Test debut against Australia, a series that ended in a 1-2 defeat for India on home soil. The young Gambhir managed to play only one match in the series, contributing just 4 runs across two innings in the Brabourne Test, though the match itself was a rare win for India. The experience left a mark on Gambhir, who would go on to have a distinguished cricketing career but was haunted by his rough start.
Now, nearly two decades later, Gambhir has won his first Test series as a coach, marking a full-circle moment. Under his leadership, India dominated Bangladesh, sweeping the series with a confident win, thus bringing closure to the painful memories of his debut series.
Rohit Sharma Praises Gambhir’s Leadership
After the victory, Rohit Sharma, Team India’s captain, applauded Gambhir’s coaching approach. Sharma noted that Gambhir’s style encourages players to perform with freedom, a crucial factor in fostering confidence. “These are early days,” Rohit added, “but the start has been exceptional.”
Bigger Challenges Await for Gambhir
With this victory, India has strengthened its position at the top of the World Test Championship standings. However, Gambhir’s true test as head coach lies ahead. India is set to play eight more Test matches before the World Test Championship final, including a series against New Zealand and a challenging five-match series on Australian soil.
