Since Gautam Gambhir took over as India’s head coach from Rahul Dravid, comparisons between their coaching styles have naturally emerged. While the sample size of three T20Is, three ODIs against Sri Lanka, and a Test against Bangladesh is too small to draw conclusions about performance, insights into their methods are beginning to surface.
Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin, who was named Player of the Match in the series opener against Bangladesh, shared his perspective on the contrasting coaching styles of Gambhir and Dravid. Ashwin described Gambhir as more laid-back in the dressing room compared to Dravid’s disciplined approach.
Ashwin affectionately referred to Gambhir as “Relaxed Rancho,” likening his easy-going attitude to the beloved character from 3 Idiots. He explained how Gambhir takes a more relaxed approach to routine activities, such as the team huddle. “There’s no pressure at all. In the morning, there will be a team huddle, and he’ll be like, ‘are you coming, please come.’ It’s like that,” Ashwin revealed on his YouTube channel.
In contrast, Ashwin noted Dravid’s attention to detail and orderliness, highlighting how Dravid preferred things to be done in a specific way. R Ashwin said that Rahul Dravid wanted that even a bottle should be at the particular place but Gautam Gambhir is not like that.
According to Ashwin, Gambhir’s relaxed nature has made him a “people’s man” who easily wins the hearts of the players. He predicted that Gambhir’s easy-going demeanor would make him popular with the squad. “I think he will be loved by the boys,” Ashwin concluded.
While Ashwin’s comments highlight the contrasting coaching philosophies of Gambhir and Dravid, both coaches have their own unique methods to achieve success. Whether it’s Dravid’s structured approach or Gambhir’s more laid-back style, both coaches bring valuable qualities to Indian cricket.
