 "Embattled Gambhir gets McCullum's support: 'Gautam is a really strong leader of men'")
Brendon McCullum, a former teammate of Gautam Gambhir, has “no doubt” that the Indian head coach will be successful in getting the best out of the talent in the Indian dressing room. McCullum’s support for Gambhir comes at a crucial time when the former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain and mentor is facing criticism after India's 3-1 defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia and also saw his team lose 3-0 at home to New Zealand before the tour Down Under.
McCullum, who is now also England’s white-ball coach, played with Gambhir at KKR in the Indian Premier League (IPL). On Monday, he labelled Gambhir an “outstanding leader,” two days before England and India compete in a five-match T20I series.
McCullum shows support for embattled Gambhir
“What I will say about Gautam Gambhir is that I’ve worked with him before. He’s an outstanding leader. He’s a really strong leader of men, and in the time that he’s had in any sort of leadership position he’s held previously, he’s been able to excel,” McCullum told reporters in Kolkata.
“He’s only just sort of got underway with this team, but I have no doubt that he’ll get the best out of the talent that he’s got. And then we’ve (England) got to find a way to be able to counter that with our own style,” he added.
Gambhir took over India’s head coach role from Rahul Dravid, who guided the Men in Blue to the T20 World Cup 2024 title victory. Apart from T20Is, Gambhir has not enjoyed a good run so far . Team India also lost an ODI series in Sri Lanka under Gambhir’s guidance last year.
McCullum talks his T20I plans
McCullum, meanwhile, is getting ready to start his era of white-ball coaching with England, which starts on 22 January in Kolkata. Known as the proponent of Bazball, McCullum says his T20I team will play a “watchable brand of cricket”.
“I’m desperate for us to play a really watchable brand of cricket,” McCullum said. “With the talent we have, there’s no reason why we can’t. We’ve got a batting line-up which is as powerful as any batting line-up in the world. We’ve got gun spinners, very good fielders and guys who bowl absolute rockets with the ball, so you’ve got options there to be able to entertain and give yourself the greatest chance of success.”
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
