'Now I know what you went through': Gautam Gambhir brings out the funny side of being India coach on Teachers' Day

Gautam Gambhir brings out the funny side of being India coach on Teachers' Day

Gautam Gambhir honored his guru, Sanjay Bhardwaj, on Teachers' Day by posting a funny message on X. "Now I know what you went through coaching me all those years! Happy #TeachersDay!" Gambhir wrote after sharing the photo with his boyhood coach.

Now I know what you went through coaching me all those years!
Happy #TeachersDay! pic.twitter.com/8co9c8PAk0

— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) September 5, 2025

When Gambhir's childhood coach, Sanjay Bhardwaj, spoke with former India U-19 World Cup winner Manjot Kalra on his YouTube channel last year, he compared the head coach of India to a naive 12-year-old child. Even while he may come out as arrogant, it's actually his winning mindset. After net sessions, he disclosed that he used to force Gambhir to play matches, and if he lost, he would sob.

Bhardwaj, who has known Gambhir for 30 years, added that the India coach is a kind man who has helped many young players, such as bowler Navdeep Saini, launch their careers. He said: "People think he has attitude, this and that. No, Gambhir is pure at heart. He is polite; has made the careers of so many youngsters."

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Next up for Gambhir is the Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE. The head coach of Team India arrived in Dubai on Thursday night, accompanied by Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav. The complete team is expected to gather at the ICC Academy in Dubai on Friday, however, it is unclear if the reserve players would accompany the main group.

India begin their campaign against UAE in Dubai on September 10, a day after the tournament opener between Afghanistan and Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi. The reigning champions will then face bitter rivals Pakistan on September 14 and conclude their group stage matches against Oman on September 19.