“India is a Superpower in cricket, but our coaches do not get opportunity anywhere,” says Gautam Gambhir
Former India starter Gautam Gambhir has backed the Indian Premier League IPL and stated that blaming the cash-rich competition for the Indian team’s poor performance in ICC tournaments is not acceptable.
Gautam, who captained the Kolkata Knight Riders to two Indian Premier League titles, went on to discuss how the introduction of the IPL has influenced the condition of cricket in the country over the years.
“IPL is the best thing that has happen to Indian cricket. I can say this with all my senses. There has been lot of backlash regarding IPL since it started. Every time Indian cricket does not do well, the blame comes at IPL, which is not fair. If we don’t perform well in ICC tournaments, blame the players, blame the performance, but it is unfair to point fingers on the IPL,” Gambhir told reporters.
India advanced to the semi-finals of the recently ended T20 World Cup, but were defeated by England in the last four stages and were eliminated from the tournament.
Since 2013, the Indian squad has not won an ICC trophy. Under the guidance of MS Dhoni, the Men in Blue won the Champions Trophy in 2013.
“A sportsman can only earn till he is 35-36. IPL provides with financial security which is equally important,” he added.
The former left-handed batsman lauded the BCCI for hiring Indian coaches to manage the national team in recent years and emphasised the need for more Indian coaches in the IPL.
“One good thing that has happen in Indian cricket is that Indians have started coaching the Indian National Cricket team now. I strongly believe Indian should coach the Indian team. All these foreign coaches, who we gave a lot of importance to, come here to make money and then they vanish. Emotions are important in sports. The only people who can be emotional about Indian cricket are the ones who have represented their country,” Gambhir remarked.
“I am a mentor of Lucknow Super Giants. One thing I want to change is that I want to see all Indian coaches in IPL. Because no Indian coach gets opportunity in Big Bash or any other foreign leagues. India is a superpower in cricket, but our coaches do not get opportunity anywhere. All the foreigners come here and get the top jobs. We are more democratic and flexible than other leagues. We need to give our own people more opportunity,” he explained.
:🗣️"I think Indian sport is on the rise" – @GautamGambhir
Head to 👉 https://t.co/w5sJHlJHgm, to watch the full video!@cheerica | @ficci_india pic.twitter.com/DGodi87sAB
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) November 27, 2022
When asked who he considers to be the present stars of Indian sports, Gambhir stated that everyone who represents the country is a poster boy. He emphasised the need of state governments choosing one Olympic sport to promote.
“Sports is going to play a massive role in development of India. There is a need to engage young children with sports and physical activities instead of their electronic devices. Every state should pick up one sport like Odisha has done with Indian hockey. See where hockey has gone today. I know sports ministry is doing a lot and corporates are getting involved, but if each state picks up one sport and completely focuses on that, imagine where our Olympic sports are going to be,” Gambhir added.
“If it is my way, probably the BCCI should also go on and give 50 percent of revenue to all other Olympic sports, though it is not my way. Because 50 percent of revenue that is generated out of cricket is enough for cricketers. But the rest of the 50 percent can actually pick up all the other sports,” he concluded.
