Dale Steyn praises Gautam Gambhir's Appointment as Team India's New Head Coach

Ex-South African pacer Dale Steyn hailed Gautam Gambhir’s aggressive gaming style, shortly after being appointed as the new head coach of the Indian Men’s Cricket Team on July 9. Gambhir played a vital role in India’s 2007 T20 WC and 2011 ODI WC campaigns where his match-defining knocks in the finals helped India lift the trophies. 

When asked about the Delhi-born cricketer’s appointment as the Head coach of the Indian team, he said that it’s all because of his hard work and dedication, the way he led the Kolkata franchise to two Indian T20 League triumphs in the years 2012 and 2014. Also returned as a mentor in the 2024 season and guided his old franchise as a mentor to a third title. 

“I’m a big fan of Gautam Gambhir. I admire his aggressive mindset. He’s one of the few Indian cricketers I’ve faced who wasn’t afraid to challenge me. I respect that. While Gambhir has earned a place alongside senior players like Virat Kohli, I’m uncertain whether the older guys will continue to have a major role going forward. I don’t want to definitively say they are completely out of the picture, but their influence may diminish,” Steyn was quoted saying on a Sports show.

The legendary fast bowler also highlighted the need for aggressive leadership like Gambhir in modern-day cricket. 

“Not only in India but in today’s cricketing world, we need people who are a little more intense and play the game harder. Even though we compete against each other in the league, we become quite friendly off the field,” he added.

“I admire how he’s fierce on the pitch but maintains a gentlemanly demeanour off it. He’s also a street-smart and highly intelligent cricketer with great cricket sense. I think he’ll be a terrific addition to the team from that perspective,” he further stated.

Previously Rahul Dravid served as Team India’s head coach from November 2021 and left his footprint by winning the T20 WC 2024. Also, India reached the finals of the World Test Series, and ODI WC 2023 are some notable achievements during his tenure.

Gautam Gambhir’s first assignment as the head coach of the Indian team would be a three-match T20I and ODI series in Sri Lanka, starting from July 27.