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Mike Hussey believes that Gambhir’s hunger to win will inspire the Indian team to compete with positivity and fighting spirit.
Gautam Gambhir (Picture Credit: AFP)
The beginning of Gautam Gambhir’s coaching tenure has been full of ups and downs. A loss against Sri Lanka in the ODIs was still sustainable but the Test series whitewash against New Zealand was a bitter pill to swallow as it ended India’s 12-year-old unbeaten streak to an end. Now comes the toughest challenge – Border-Gavaskar Trophy Down Under – at his way.
The 5-match series begins Friday and with star players Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Mohammad Shami missing out, it’s a test for him and his coaching staff to name a balanced XI that can dominate Aussies in Perth.
Former Australia batter Mike Hussey believes that Gambhir’s hunger to win will inspire the Indian team to compete with positivity and fighting spirit. Speaking to The Times Of India, Hussey said he is expecting India to pose a tough challenge to the Aussies in the Test series.
“He was a great competitor and he would fight for victory. I have no doubt, watching him, sort of being involved with the IPL and teams that he’s been involved in, he loves to win, and he loves to compete and I’m not expecting anything different from this Indian team,” Hussey was quoted as saying.
“They’ve got some great fighters and some great competitors. So, I’m sure his personality will come through with the way he coaches. And I think you need to have something like that in Australian conditions. It’s not easy coming to Australia and competing with a strong Australian team,” he added.
Hussey further highlighted the contribution of former coach Ravi Shastri, stating that the competitiveness in the Indian dressing will continue in Gambhir’s regime as well.
“And I think Ravi Shastri certainly brought that competitive hard edge to the team when he was coaching the team as well, and real positiveness as well. Gambhir is someone who’s done well in Australia in the past as well. He will have fond memories of coming here. He’s a real fighter and a real competitor. And I’m sure he’ll bring that in this Indian team as well,” he added.
