Former Indian spinner Amit Mishra has come out in strong support of the Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir, who has been under extreme pressure after recent Test whitewashes to South Africa and New Zealand at home.
Speaking exclusively to Times of India, Mishra has asserted that it takes time for any coach to develop players, especially in the longest format of the game, as the Indian team is undergoing transition with new players coming into the squad.
“It’s tough for the coach. I think players need to take more responsibility. One coach for all formats has been the norm for years. You have to give time to any coach. In Test matches, we have new players with less experience. It takes time for coaches and players to develop,” Amit Mishra told the Times of India.
“It took 1-1.5 years for Rahul Dravid to establish himself. Then performance improved. Players need to take responsibility, understand the wicket’s behavior. You are selected from 140-145 crore people; you have to adapt according to the wicket and situation. That’s why you’re playing at the top. I don’t think any blame should be given to the coach,” he added.
Furthermore, Mishra has requested the Indian cricketing fraternity to give Gambhir some more time in the red-ball format for results to fall in the team’s favour. Additionally, he also insisted that players need to take more responsibility at the end of the day.
“Give him (Gambhir) time in red-ball. He needs to explain to new players (in the squad). A coach’s job is to work on mental aspects and skills, but players have to play. In our time, players did it. You have to take stress, understand. You have to spend time, change according to the situation, player, bowler, wicket. Players need to take more responsibility. A coach’s job is to guide, plan, but players have to execute,” he concluded.
India will lock horns with Sri Lanka in the two-Test tour, starting on Saturday, August 15, in Galle.
