Former Pakistan Test cricketer Tanveer Ahmed has voiced his disapproval regarding Gautam Gambhir’s recent appointment as the head coach of the Indian cricket team. Ahmed has labeled this decision as a ‘Parchi’ (favoritism) case, suggesting that Gambhir’s selection was influenced by favoritism rather than merit.
Earlier this month, Gambhir was confirmed as the successor to Rahul Dravid, who stepped down after leading India to a flawless victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Despite this, Ahmed believes that VVS Laxman would have been a more suitable choice for the role. Currently, Laxman heads the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and has previously stepped in as India’s stand-in coach during Dravid’s tenure.
Expressing his opinion on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Ahmed stated, “VVS Laxman should have become the head coach of the Indian team because he has been with the India B team as coach for a long time. It seems as if Gautam Gambhir’s appointment is a ‘Parchi’ case.”
Gautam Gambhir has recently been involved with the Kolkata Knight Riders as a mentor in the IPL. Prior to this, he mentored the Lucknow Super Giants during the 2022 and 2023 IPL seasons, successfully guiding them to the playoffs on both occasions.
Gambhir’s cricketing credentials are notable; he was instrumental in India’s triumphs in the 2007 World T20 and the 2011 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup, having top-scored in the finals of both tournaments.
The debate over Gambhir’s appointment highlights the contrasting views on the best direction for Indian cricket, especially following a period of significant success under Dravid. Whether Gambhir can continue this legacy remains to be seen.
