NEW DELHI: England coach Brendon McCullum on Monday praised India head coach Gautam Gambhir as a “strong leader of men” and expressed confidence in his ability to lead India to success in the near future.
Gambhir, who took charge as India’s head coach across all formats following the team’s title-winning campaign in the T20 World Cup last year, has faced significant criticism after India’s poor performances against New Zealand and Australia.
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However, McCullum, who previously worked with Gambhir during their time together at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), voiced his support for his former teammate.
“I’ve worked with Gautam before, and I can say he’s an outstanding leader. He’s a really strong leader of men, and in every leadership position he’s held, he has excelled,” McCullum told reporters in Kolkata.
“He’s only just started in this role, but I have no doubt he’ll bring the best out of the talent at his disposal. It’s up to us (England) to find a way to counter his team’s approach with our own style,” McCullum added.
India recently endured a 0-3 whitewash at home against New Zealand and suffered a 1-3 loss to Australia in an away series, derailing their hopes of qualifying for a third consecutive World Test Championship (WTC) final.
Gambhir’s tenure also began with India losing a bilateral ODI series to Sri Lanka for the first time in 27 years last August.
Despite these setbacks, India secured a series victory against Bangladesh at home under Gambhir’s leadership. Throughout his tenure, Gambhir has consistently opposed the “star culture” in Indian cricket, prompting the BCCI to introduce a 10-point guideline to promote team unity and accountability.
However, his coaching methods have drawn criticism, especially after India lost six of 10 Tests and the ODI series against Sri Lanka under his guidance.
Addressing coaching philosophies, McCullum shared his perspective on the varied approaches coaches adopt.
“I don’t even know if ‘coach’ is the right word sometimes,” McCullum remarked. “Everyone has their own unique approach to the role.”
Explaining his own coaching philosophy, McCullum emphasized the importance of fostering a positive environment.
“For me, it’s less about coaching in a traditional sense and more about creating a happy, enjoyable environment where players feel encouraged to push their limits and embrace uncomfortable situations,” he said.
McCullum added that different coaches adopt diverse methods, with some preferring a structured, technical approach, while others operate in a more regimented manner.
“It really depends on the individual coach and their style,” he concluded.
McCullum is currently in India with the England team for the upcoming limited-overs series, where his players will face Gambhir’s side in what promises to be an exciting contest.
