‘Gambhir is a very misunderstood person’ - Ravichandran Ashwin backs Gautam Gambhir amid head coach rumours

Former India batter Gautam Gambhir always seems to be catching headlines, the 42-year-old has made a reputation for being surrounded by controversy. Whether that's through his eccentric personality or unique takes on several matters. However, veteran India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin seems to think that Gautam Gambhir has been deeply misunderstood. 

It is worth noting that Gambhir has reportedly been shortlisted as one of the frontrunners to be India’s next head coach after the tenure of Rahul Dravid ends, and it seems like the former opener has got Ashwin’s backing.

Dravid’s tenure ends in June, and Gambhir also recently attended an interview conducted by the BCCI committee. Ahead of the potential appointment, Ashwin came forward to heap praise on Gambhir, calling back to an incident from 2012. 

"The biggest issue with many of us is that.." - Ashwin on Gautam Gambhir

"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 at the launch of his book, ‘I Have the Streets - A Kutti Cricket Story.'

"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 mind 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 is unbelievable. I have massive respect for him," he added.

Interestingly, being the frontrunner for the India head coach job, Gambhir’s announcement is expected to be made in mid-July 2024. According to recently emerging reports, VVS Laxman will be accompanying India as the head coach for their tour to Zimbabwe, which will take place after the T20 World Cup. Laxman could prove to be an interim coach for India as Dravid’s tenure would have ended, and with Gautam Gambhir’s imminent announcement in the future.