Regarding Gautam Gambhir’s hiring, Nepal coach Monty Desai said, “It will be a different ball game.” [Unique]

The head coach of Nepal, Monty Desai, shared his honest thoughts on Gautam Gambhir’s appointment to lead the Indian cricket team. After that, the 50-year-old talked about the distinctions between managing an Associate team like Nepal and a cricketing powerhouse like India.

After leading the Men in Blue to victory at the just ended T20 World Cup 2024, Rahul Dravid was replaced by Gambhir as India’s head coach. Some have voiced their scepticism due to the fact that the great former cricket player has never held the position of head coach at any level before, despite fans and experts being excited to watch how Gambhir instills his never-say-die mentality in the players.

In 2022 and 2023, Gambhir served as a mentor for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), leading them to the postseason. Prior to the 2024 Indian Premier League, he became a mentor for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), helping them to win their third title after a 10-year drought. Gambhir was suddenly in the running to replace Virat Kohli, and the BCCI officially announced the decision last week.

The question of whether Desai had any advice for Gambhir as he starts a new chapter in his coaching career was posed to him in an exclusive conversation with CricTracker. Desai has experience coaching teams like Canada and Nepal. Although the seasoned coach declined to offer advice, he insisted that Gambhir’s background as an Indian player and IPL team mentor will be beneficial.

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“I don’t believe I’m qualified to offer advice. He has played for India; let’s not overlook that fact, maybe just to put things in perspective. Yes, I do think that coaching is a whole other ball game. It takes a new set of abilities because of the way he has mentored franchise cricket, particularly with KKR, and the way I have followed him. He is aware of how great this obligation is. But I think the approach to managing the changing room is still the same. Since he also thinks that a joyful dressing room is possible. even while pushing them to the limit. Something I’m learning in Nepal, actually. Considering that I wish to push them further,” Desai remarked.

 

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He continued by saying that the Indian team is fortunate to have players who have a strong sense of self-worth, in contrast to the cricketers from Nepal, whom he must confront in an effort to instill professionalism.

Nevertheless, using Nepal as an example, I also encounter low self-esteem. Thus, in our dressing room, it takes some time even if we confront them and attempt to introduce professionalism. However, you are fortunate in Indian cricket. You have players who are already quite self-assured and confident. They have participated in the IPL in large numbers. You shake hands with all the big names from other nations in the IPL. “I hope he and the individuals accompanying him in the changing room have the best possible outcome,” Desai said.