"I don't think his job is to coach the Indian team" - Sandeep Patil on Gautam Gambhir's biggest challenge

Former chief selector Sandeep Patil felt the newly-appointed Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir must do less coaching and more player management at the highest level. Gambhir replaced Rahul Dravid as India's next coach with his first assignment being the Sri Lankan white-ball tour, starting July 27.

The Men in Blue will play three T20Is followed by as many ODIs from July 7 to August 7.

In an interview with the PTI, Patil said:

"I don't think his job is to coach the Indian team. His job is to help the Indian team. That's how it works at the top level. You need player management. That will be the challenge for Gambhir. He has done it and I am sure he will continue to do the same with the Indian cricket team."

He added:

"Gambhir had done an exceptional job as a coach for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL. I hope that he continues to help the Indian team in the same way."

Gambhir was part of India's World Cup-winning teams in 2007 and 2011 as a player, including top-scoring for them in both finals.

The 42-year-old also exhibited incredible leadership qualities, captaining Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to IPL titles in 2012 and 2014. Gambhir then joined the franchise as a mentor for IPL 2024, helping them win a third title earlier this year.

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"There is no question of an Indian team without them" - Sandeep Patil on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma

Sandeep Patil praised the legendary duo of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma by dismissing the question of an Indian team without them in the other two formats.

The pair retired from T20Is after India's recent triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA.

"Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are still doing extremely well and there is no question of an Indian team without them. I wish the Indian team all the best wherever they are playing and whatever tournament they are playing, they are bound to do exceedingly well," Sandeep Patil.

He concluded:

"Like every Indian, I wish the Indian cricket team good luck. I am happy that I am part of 1983 and the progress the Indian team has made over the years has been commendable."

Kohli and Rohit have been included in the Indian squad for the ODI series against Sri Lanka that follows the T20Is.