Ravichandran Ashwin points out stark difference between Gautam Gambhir and Rahul Dravid’s coaching philosophies

Ravichandran Ashwin. (Source – BCCI)

Legendary Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin explained a stark difference between Gautam Gambhir and Rahul Dravid’s coaching philosophies. Dravid’s stint as India’s head coach ended after guiding the team to the T20 World Cup title in June. 

Gambhir subsequently took over the role and has produced decent results since then. He began with a 3-0 whitewash over Sri Lanka in a T20I series before losing the ODI leg of the tour by a 0-2 margin. In his first red-ball assignment, Gambhir saw his team annihilating Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai last week by 280 runs.

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Ashwin, who is an integral part of India’s red-ball team, described how Gambhir and Dravid are different from one another as coaches.

“I think he (Gambhir) is very relaxed. There is nothing at all. In the morning, in the huddle. ‘Are you coming?’ Like that. Rahul Bhai is like, we will come. As soon as we come, the bottles should be in place. He is very regimented. He is like, everything should be in order, according to him. He has a relaxed order. I feel that he captures the minds of the people. He loves the boys. He is not only relaxed,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

‘Easily one of the best cricket pitches I have played in India for a while’ – Ashwin on Chepauk track

India and Bangladesh played the first Test on a lively wicket where seamers found assistance in the initial days. Meanwhile, the spinners came into play as the match went along.

“The crowd was so passionate about watching the match. Easily one of the best cricket pitches I have played in India for a while. Awesome pitch and I really hope Tamil Nadu play Ranji Trophy on such pitches. The way they have laid the pitch, they should take it to the next level. Outstanding Test match wicket. Earlier, there was a curator named Pacha. He said. ‘sir the wicket will be good for the fast bowlers in the morning’. The batting will be easy. Then it will turn and the match will be over’. But like he said, the first day, there will be bounce,” Ashwin said.

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The second and final Test match will be played at Green Park, Kanpur, beginning on Friday, September 27. India will look to seal yet another series win to consolidate their position at the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) standings.