Cricketer-turned-expert Irfan Pathan has fully backed head coach Gautam Gambhir, lavishing huge praise on him in prioritizing team culture over star culture in the Indian Cricket Team. The former all-rounder spoke in length about how the coach is boldly taking decisions based on form, and not over a player's star culture. Pathan stated that this approach by Gambhir is helping prioritizing players get into the team, which was not happening in the previous decades.
Alongside praising the head coach, the expert also spoke effusively on chief selector Ajit Agarkar, and said the duo are trying to bring in a lasting change in the Indian Cricket Team.
"Mere liye team culture bahut important hai. (For me, team culture is very important.) Gautam Gambhir jo hai na waahan pe, jab tak woh apni coaching journey khatam karenge na, wo team culture le ke aayenge puri tarah se. (As long as Gambhir is the coach, he will fully instill team culture)." Pathan told Lallantop.
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The former all-rounder further stated on how the Indian Cricket Team has, at times, been very reluctant to move on from out-of-form players due to past image.
"Humare yahaan ek banda fail hue ja raha hai 3, 4, 5 saal se magar usko chance de do kyunki wo bahut bada player hai. Kahi toh aapko full stop lagana padega na. (Here, a player keeps failing 3, 4, 5 years, but still gets opportunities because he is a big name. Somewhere, you have to put a full stop." He explained.
Pathan praised the current selection panel led by Agarkar for being non-biased and choosing balanced teams for all series. "Dusra jinka naam nahi aata, wo banda abada jabardast hai Indian Cricket ke liye - Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar. (The other person who deserves credit is Ajit Agarkar; he is fantastic for Indian Cricket.) Pathan said.
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The expert also highlighted the decision-making process, stressing how the coaches and selectors are most aligned in choosing the right set of players.
"Aaj ek koi bhi decision hota hai na, wo sirf coach nahi le sakta, ek bhi decision selection nahi le sakta. Do log agar mil jaaye, jo majboot ho wo fir sahi direction mey jaate hai. Mujhe lagta hai ye dono sahi direction me ja rahe hai... team culture ko le kar.
Pathan's strong support to Gambhir reflects the coach's non-favoritism regarding star players - reducing individual favoritism and ensuring team selection based on form and merit - a change that could define Indian Cricket for the coming decades.
