"I have heard that his dressing rooms are generally relaxed" - Dinesh Karthik on Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir

Dinesh Karthik opined that Team India's new head coach Gautam Gambhir will make sure that the dressing room atmosphere is positive. He pointed out that the cricketer-turned-coach has all the credentials to excel in his new role with the Men in Blue.

Gambhir replaced Rahul Dravid as India's head coach as the latter's stint ended with the side's 2024 T20 World Cup triumph. The former opening batter's first assignment will be India's tour of Sri Lanka, where the two Asian teams will compete in three T20Is and as many ODIs.

Speaking to Crizbuzz ahead of the three-match T20I series, here's what Karthik said about Gambhir (from 3:19):

"Gautam Gambhir has all the credentials to definitely take care of players, in terms of their mindset, prep, and most importantly, to keep a harmonious dressing room. I have heard that his dressing rooms are generally relaxed and very good, even though outwardly he feels like a different person, that is the case with him Gautam Gambhir the coach. And, he's got a set of support staff who he really believes in."

While Gambhir doesn't have vast experience of being head coach, he has an impressive record as a mentor in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He was the mentor of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their title-winning campaign earlier this year. He also had a two-year stint with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), in which the team qualified for the playoffs on both occasions.

Karthik also spoke about India's new T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav. He suggested that the Sri Lanka series would be an ideal start for the swashbuckling batter's reins, adding:

"Good luck to Suryakumar Yadav. He's going to be the captain of the ship for two years is what I've heard. So, here's his opportunity to do something special. Sri Lanka tour always, not the strongest of teams, so one where he can set foot and steer the ship in the direction that he wants to along with Mr Gautam Gambhir."

Suryakumar will take over from Rohit Sharma, who announced his retirement from T20Is after leading India to a 2024 T20 World Cup victory.

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"I expect nothing less than a bare minimum of 2-1" - Dinesh Karthik backs India to come out on top in T20I series against Sri Lanka

In the aforementioned video, Dinesh Karthik also shared his prediction for the three-match T20I series between India and Sri Lanka. He stated that he expects Suryakumar Yadav-led side to win the series by a margin of 2-1.

Highlighting that the series will be a good platform for India's young guns to prove their worth at the highest level, Karthik said (from 1:54):

"I expect nothing less than a bare minimum of 2-1 that India is going to win. It is a very strong side, the current T20 side, and a lot of young boys who've done so well in IPL, that's a great opportunity for them, and I'm sure they're waiting for their opportunity."

India and Sri Lanka will battle it out in the T20I series opener at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Saturday, July 27.