Yuvraj Singh Hails Gambhir's Coaching Philosophy as Key to India's T20 World Cup Success
Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has attributed India's T20 World Cup victory to head coach Gautam Gambhir's unwavering belief in his methods, emphasizing that the former opener's clarity and courage under pressure were decisive factors. In an exclusive interview on Sports Tak, Yuvraj shed light on Gambhir's coaching approach, describing him as a sharp cricketing mind with a proven track record.
Gambhir's Cricketing Brain and Credentials Praised
Yuvraj highlighted his long-standing association with Gambhir, dating back to their under-16 and under-19 days. "I have played with Gautam since under-16 and under-19, and I always felt he had a very good cricketing brain. The way he sees the game has always stood out," Yuvraj stated. He pointed to Gambhir's impressive credentials as both a player and mentor, recalling his match-winning performances in two World Cup finals.
"He has performed at the highest level and played a major role in winning two World Cups. Then as a mentor with Kolkata Knight Riders, he won titles again. He must be doing something right," Yuvraj added, underscoring Gambhir's consistent success across different roles in cricket.
Sticking to Process Despite Criticism
Yuvraj emphasized that Gambhir's greatest strength was his ability to remain committed to his gameplan despite facing criticism. "When you become India's coach, there are too many eyes on you. One mistake is shown 100 times, one success 1000 times," he explained. Referring to the backlash Gambhir encountered after India's Test setbacks, Yuvraj noted: "He went through that phase but stuck to his process. That is what led India to the World Cup triumph. Now he is back on the high — there will always be ups and downs in cricket."
Aggressive Blueprint and Bowling Depth
According to Yuvraj, Gambhir's aggressive strategy instilled fear in opponents. "He was clear — we have to play this brand of cricket even if there are failures. We are coming after you from the first ball. If it's there to hit, players like Abhishek or Sanju will go for it from the first ball," he elaborated. This fearless approach, combined with India's bowling depth, proved crucial.
Yuvraj highlighted the role of Jasprit Bumrah in leading the attack, with support from Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh. "Whenever India are in trouble, they have Bumrah to bail them out, with Hardik and Arshdeep backing him," he said. He also praised the squad's balance, noting the presence of quality spinners like Kuldeep Yadav even on the bench, which added depth to the team's resources.
Summing Up the Triumph
In conclusion, Yuvraj reiterated his admiration for Gambhir's resilience. "Gambhir stuck to his process despite failures, and it rewarded him with the T20 World Cup," he summarized. This steadfast commitment, coupled with a clear vision and aggressive tactics, ultimately paved the way for India's success on the global stage.
