Kapil Dev on Gautam Gambhir's early setbacks as India coach: 'Kya aap ek saal mein expert ban jayenge?' | Exclusive

It has barely been four months since Gautam Gambhir was appointed as the head coach of the Indian cricket team, however the 2007 and 11' World Cup winner is already under the scanner. Gambhir took charge after India's triumph at the T20 World Cup held in USA and the West Indies in June, which was the country's first ICC trophy in over a decade. However, the Men In Blue soon crashed in an ODI series against Sri Lanka, which was played in August. Despite boasting the likes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the team failed to win a single match against Sri Lanka. The outcome was kind of a shocker but people didn't have much complaints, given the country was still rejoicing the T20 triumph and mostly engaged in Paris 2024.

Fast forward to October-November, India, who were a certain contender of a World Test Championship (WTC) final spot, now face an uphill task to reach the finale. The Rohit Sharma-led unit faced a shocking 3-0 loss against New Zealand in home conditions, and they now face a more difficult challenge, which is a five-match Test series against Australia in Down Under.

While fingers are being pointed at Gambhir, India's first World Cup-winning skipper Kapil Dev has urged naysayers to have some patience. "Aap kisi players ko teen saal mauka dijye. Jab aap kaam karna shuru karte hain toh kya aap sochte hain ki aap ek saal mein expert banjayenge? (You need to give someone at least two to three years of time. When you start working do you think that you'll be an expert within a year?) Over a period of time you learn and you should admire that, and give them the time," India's legendary cricketer told Moneycontrol in an exclusive chat.

"It's a teething problem for Gautam Gambhir, but good and bad days will come. How many less mistakes you make, that is more important," he added.

Kapil Dev inaugurated the Night Golf Festival at Jaypee Greens Golf Course

Kapil Dev was speaking on the sidelines of a golf event organised by the Jaypee Groups in Greater Noida. The ex-cricketer inaugurated the Night Golf Festival at Jaypee Greens Golf Course, which catered 350 golfers in India's first Greg Norman-designed championship golf course. Highlighting the importance of such infrastructure, the former India skipper in his address mentioned that such facilities will aid in the growth of the sport in the coming years.