'People Think Gambhir is Arrogant, But That's His Attitude Towards Winning... He's Like an Innocent Kid': Childhood Coach Reveals

Gautam Gambhir’s childhood coach Sanjay Bharadwaj has made a sensational revelation about Team India’s newly-appointed head coach. While Gambhir is known for his aggressive and never-say-die attitude, Bharadwaj has now revealed some hitherto unknown characteristics of the World Cup-winning former Indian batter.

Speaking to the ex-U19 World Cup winner Manjot Kalra on the latter’s YouTube channel, Bharadwaj made a big revelation.

“Gautam Gambhir is a kid. Even today he is like an innocent kid. He has no malice. He is like a 12-year-old kid. People think he is arrogant, but that is his attitude towards winning," said Bharadwaj, who has shared a three-decade-long association with Gambhir.

“I used to make him play matches after nets and he would cry after losing matches. He did not like losing even back then. People think he has attitude, this and that. No, Gambhir is pure at heart. He is polite; and has made the careers of so many youngsters. If you get in your comfort zone, if you’re smiling all the time, will you win? A person who understands how to win should know how to avoid defeat," added Sanjay Bharadwaj who is a recipient of the Guru Dronacharya Award in 2019.

As part of the Indian cricket team, Gautam Gambhir has won two World Cup titles. His first World Cup triumph came in South Africa at the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup back in 2007. Four years later, Gambhir was part of the triumphant Indian cricket team at the ODI World Cup, played on home soil.

Gautam Gambhir’s domestic career has been no less glorious. He led Kolkata Knight Riders to two Indian Premier League (IPL) titles. As the coach of the franchise, Gambhir guided Kolkata Knight Riders to another IPL championship earlier this year.

Following his successful association with Kolkata Knight Riders, Gautam Gambhir was appointed the head coach of the Indian cricket team. In his first assignment as the head coach of the side, Gambhir led India to a victory in the T20I series against Sri Lanka.

The Indian cricket team are currently taking part in a three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. While the first match of the series ended in a draw, India had to concede a defeat in the next fixture in Colombo. The visitors will now be aiming to avoid a series defeat when the third and final contest will be played tomorrow, August 7.