Gambhir v Dravid as coach

[Lord]

There was lot of hype and PR when GG was appointed, from non cricketing accounts too. Talks of no nonsense aggressive guy replacing a more meek and supposedly defensive RD

 

But Test results have flipped 360 degrees since he arrived. Won CT and Asia Cup and T20 squad looks great so that's to his credit

 

 

[IndianRenegade]

His test selection has been pathetic, in limited over utility players who can bat & bowl are a strength to the team. Test cricket is a game of specialists, you can't have a Sundar play no 3. in ne game and number 7/8 in the next. NKR playes as an AR & bowls only 4 overs. Is there no test batter in India better than NKR? There is no vision from GG wrt to the test team.

[Gollum]

As someone who doesn't rate Dravid highly, I will say that GG is the worst thing to happen to Indian cricket since the 2000 fixing saga. 

[Gollum]

3 hours ago, Lord said:

There was lot of hype and PR when GG was appointed, from non cricketing accounts too. Talks of no nonsense aggressive guy replacing a more meek and supposedly defensive RD

 

But Test results have flipped 360 degrees since he arrived. Won CT and Asia Cup and T20 squad looks great so that's to his credit

CT win was the most rigged and shameless trophy chori in the history of ICC events. 

 

Other teams had to build their 15 member squads for flat tracks as well as turners, we could afford to select our squad just for that Dubai pitch. Moreover, zero travel for us, while NZ, Aus, RSA had to keep making round trips between Pak and UAE, in fact before the semi final, RSA and NZ had to travel to Dubai and go back immediately after a 2 hour stay at the airport. No wonder Miller was so pissed. 

 

Contrast the genuine jubilation post the 2013 CT win with this soulless affair, which wasn't even acknowledged back home.

 

And regarding the Asia Cup, it is a third-class tournament. 2025 Pak, SL not the same as their 90s/00s squads, or even 2012/14 versions for that matter, last time there was no runaway favorite. 

Edited November 25, 2025 by Gollum

[Chakdephatte]

The team that won the champions trophy was exactly Dravid's team. With exception of Chakravarthy. India's growth in limited overs is just a natural progression and even there, players aren't safe- the way Reddy, Samson, Jaiswal, Gaikwad have been rotated is hilarious. We are not winning because of Gambhir. 

[Gollum]

3 minutes ago, Chakdephatte said:

The team that won the champions trophy was exactly Dravid's team. With exception of Chakravarthy. India's growth in limited overs is just a natural progression and even there, players aren't safe- the way Reddy, Samson, Jaiswal, Gaikwad have been rotated is hilarious. We are not winning because of Gambhir. 

Rohit credited Dravid for the Champions Trophy win. 

 

Rahul Dravid's philosophies helped India win Champions Trophy 2025: Rohit Sharma

India captain Rohit Sharma credited former coach Rahul Dravid's vision for their 2025 Champions Trophy success. Sharma said that the processes set by Dravid helped the team even after the coach left.

[Austin 3:!6]

4 hours ago, Gollum said:

CT win was the most rigged and shameless trophy chori in the history of ICC events. 

 

Other teams had to build their 15 member squads for flat tracks as well as turners, we could afford to select our squad just for that Dubai pitch. Moreover, zero travel for us, while NZ, Aus, RSA had to keep making round trips between Pak and UAE, in fact before the semi final, RSA and NZ had to travel to Dubai and go back immediately after a 2 hour stay at the airport. No wonder Miller was so pissed. 

 

Contrast the genuine jubilation post the 2013 CT win with this soulless affair, which wasn't even acknowledged back home.

 

And regarding the Asia Cup, it is a third-class tournament. 2025 Pak, SL not the same as their 90s/00s squads, or even 2012/14 versions for that matter, last time there was no runaway favorite. 

 

These are excuses. India was the most travelled team in world cup 2023 and yet went to finals undefeated. Even in this Asia cup, Pak played all their games in Dubai where as India travelled between DUbai and Abu Dhabi and yet won. So CT 2025 was not rigged at all...its just that India could not have travelled to Pakistan. Its similar to how Pakistan will play all its WT20 2026 matches in Colombo. 

 

We are a terrific white ball side. Lets not take frustrations of our test team out by calling our hard fought tournament wins as rigged.

[Gollum]

6 minutes ago, Austin 3:!6 said:

 

These are excuses. India was the most travelled team in world cup 2023

Still, all the travel happened at home. By that logic, Aus was the most travelled team in 2015 WC (no repeat venues till SF), they even went to NZ to play the group match there. 

6 minutes ago, Austin 3:!6 said:

Even in this Asia cup, Pak played all their games in Dubai where as India travelled between DUbai and Abu Dhabi and yet won.

Just checked the fixtures and it seems Pak also travelled to Abu Dhabi in Super 4 (must win against Lanka). India travelled once to Abu Dhabi against Oman, and played all super 4s, final in Dubai. 

6 minutes ago, Austin 3:!6 said:

So CT 2025 was not rigged at all...its just that India could not have travelled to Pakistan. Its similar to how Pakistan will play all its WT20 2026 matches in Colombo. 

Yes but we could afford to pick a squad for Dubai's turning pitch, while other teams had to spread their resources to cover both venues (extremes, since Pak venues were pattas and dew affected, required more pacers). 

It would have been fairer if other teams were allowed to pick 17 or 18 member squads, and India just 15. 

Edited November 25, 2025 by Gollum

[Gollum]

7 minutes ago, Austin 3:!6 said:

 Its similar to how Pakistan will play all its WT20 2026 matches in Colombo. 

Highly doubt that will happen. Pak will definitely play in Pallekelle (Kandy), also in 2 venues in Colombo, Premadasa and SSC. 

[Austin 3:!6]

7 minutes ago, Gollum said:

Still, all the travel happened at home. By that logic, Aus was the most travelled team in 2015 WC (no repeat venues till SF), they even went to NZ to play the group match there. 

Just checked the fixtures and it seems Pak also travelled to Abu Dhabi in Super 4 (must win against Lanka). India travelled once to Abu Dhabi against Oman, and played all super 4s, final in Dubai. 

Yes but we could afford to pick a squad for Dubai's turning pitch, while other teams had to spread their resources to cover both venues (extremes, since Pak venues were pattas and dew affected, required more pacers). 

It would have been fairer if other teams were allowed to pick 17 or 18 member squads, and India just 15. 

 

Travel time between Bangalore and Delhi is more than between Lahore and Dubai.

 

Pitch conditions also vary in India between venue to venue. The conditions in Chennai is different from Himachal. So a good team need to adopt in all conditions. There is nothing called picking a squad for a venue. 

 

Pakistan only played one game in Abu Dhabi during super 4 which was not pre decided. Moshin Naqvi deliberately put all Pak league games in Dubai and made India and other teams travel. BD even had to play 2 back to back games.

 

Most importantly there was nothing else India could have done. They could not have travelled to Pakistan, so this was the best scenario. Even PCB wanted India to play all its matches in one venue of Lahore.

 

[Gollum]

6 hours ago, Austin 3:!6 said:

 

Travel time between Bangalore and Delhi is more than between Lahore and Dubai.

 

Pitch conditions also vary in India between venue to venue. The conditions in Chennai is different from Himachal. So a good team need to adopt in all conditions. There is nothing called picking a squad for a venue. 

 

Pakistan only played one game in Abu Dhabi during super 4 which was not pre decided. Moshin Naqvi deliberately put all Pak league games in Dubai and made India and other teams travel. BD even had to play 2 back to back games.

 

Most importantly there was nothing else India could have done. They could not have travelled to Pakistan, so this was the best scenario. Even PCB wanted India to play all its matches in one venue of Lahore.

 

Bro, why get defensive over this?

 

We had Abu Dhabi for one group game against Oman, and everyone knew Ind, Pak would qualify to Super 4s. Seeds were pre-decided, A1, A2, B1, B2. So Pak's super 4 game in Abu Dhabi was pre-decided just like BD's back to back games. At least for us, it was in group stage against a minnow like Oman. For Pak, it was against Sri Lanka at a venue where Lankans had already played a game, also must win. Naqvi if he decided the schedule clearly favored India the most. 

 

There is always something India could have done, that is force the entire tournament outside Pak. But GOI, BCCI are spineless. 

 

2026 T20 WC schedule has been released, and as you see, Pak is not playing just in one venue. They are playing in SSC in all their groups games apart from India, which will be at Premadasa. This has been done to ensure that Pak has no venue advantage over India. This will be another WC where ICC does everyting to favour India. Just like 23 WC where even the final's pitch was tampered (1st time in the history of ICC competition) to give in to Dravid and Rohit's requests, as confirmed by Kaif. It is just that Cummins decided tio shut up 1.5 billion rabid Indians in the coolest way possible. 

 

 

[putrevus]

7 hours ago, Austin 3:!6 said:

 

These are excuses. India was the most travelled team in world cup 2023 and yet went to finals undefeated. Even in this Asia cup, Pak played all their games in Dubai where as India travelled between DUbai and Abu Dhabi and yet won. So CT 2025 was not rigged at all...its just that India could not have travelled to Pakistan. Its similar to how Pakistan will play all its WT20 2026 matches in Colombo. 

 

We are a terrific white ball side. Lets not take frustrations of our test team out by calling our hard fought tournament wins as rigged.

I agree India was best team in whiteball cricket, losing one match over three different tournaments is testament to that fact.But credit for those wins goes more Dravid and Rohit than Gambhir.

 

Gambhir is an idiot and whatever Indian team has won is overcoming this bozo's mistakes and presence.

 

 

Edited November 25, 2025 by putrevus

[BCCISelector]

Let's compare the Test results under Dravid and Gambhir

Under Dravid:
Won vs New Zealand 1-0 (H)
Lost vs South Africa 1-2 (A)

Won vs Sri Lanka 2-0 (H)
Lost vs England 0-1 (A)
Won vs Bangladesh 2-0 (A)
Won vs Australia 2-1 (H)
Lost WTC vs Australia 0-1 (N)

Won vs West Indies 1-0 (A)
Drew vs South Africa 1-1 (A)
Won vs England 4-1 (H)

Under Gambhir:
Won vs Bangladesh 2-0 (H)
Lost vs New Zealand 0-3 (H)
Lost vs Australia 1-3 (A)
Drew vs England 2-2 (A)
Won vs West Indies 2-0 (H)
Lost vs South Africa 0-2 (H)

Once you eliminate the Bangladesh and West Indies results, it's evident that Dravid had a relatively easier draw facing Australia and England at home, while Gambhir faced these two teams away.

The struggle in subcontinent conditions actually started during Dravid's era. Avoided a major embarrassment in Mirpur being 74/7 in a chase of 145, all thanks to a dropped catch at 80/7 and yet another lower order rescue act.

Doctored the pitch in 1st Test vs Australia at Nagpur by selective watering/rolling/mowing to create rough patches outside left-handers' off stump (because India had 0 left-handers in their top 6, while Australia had 4 left-handers in their top 6). Lost in an embarrassing fashion in the 3rd Test at Indore. Got so scared of Australia's spinners that we rolled out a patta in the 4th Test.

The more I see of England's Bazball, the more I'm convinced that they are a mediocre team that relies on flukes. Dropped a Test to their rookie spinners at Hyderabad and almost another one at Ranchi. Even Pakistan thrashed them at home the same year.

If Dravid gets full credit for the 2025 CT win, then the NZ series whitewash should also be credited to Dravid because it was the exact same squad that Dravid assembled and used just a few months prior. Credit shouldn't be applied selectively based on personal biases or prejudices.

This South Africa series loss is fully on Gambhir though as the team was made entirely of all his stupid picks.

Edited November 27, 2025 by BCCISelector

[raki05]

On 11/25/2025 at 9:17 AM, Gollum said:

CT win was the most rigged and shameless trophy chori in the history of ICC events. 

 

Other teams had to build their 15 member squads for flat tracks as well as turners, we could afford to select our squad just for that Dubai pitch. Moreover, zero travel for us, while NZ, Aus, RSA had to keep making round trips between Pak and UAE, in fact before the semi final, RSA and NZ had to travel to Dubai and go back immediately after a 2 hour stay at the airport. No wonder Miller was so pissed. 

 

Contrast the genuine jubilation post the 2013 CT win with this soulless affair, which wasn't even acknowledged back home.

 

And regarding the Asia Cup, it is a third-class tournament. 2025 Pak, SL not the same as their 90s/00s squads, or even 2012/14 versions for that matter, last time there was no runaway favorite. 

Lol isnt when wc happened in aus and nz all team has to travel between nz and aus while they sit and relax at home. Suddenly india lost test so lets descredit all indian victory.

[raki05]

I know gambhir is flavor of the season and favourite dumping yard. But dravid chacha literal pitch rigging and playing sky at loi final and freaking test cricket is no way better. Gambhir was wworst and dravid was no better. But big lol at people discrediting ct victory, i have  seen Pakistani singing same tune. I dont give a f**k about foreign player complaining about travel ,same moron travel on daily basis to play ipl.

Edited November 28, 2025 by raki05

[vvvslaxman]

One is trundler-friendly, the other is all-rounder-friendly.

[Nikhil_cric]

4 hours ago, vvvslaxman said:

One is trundler-friendly, the other is all-rounder-friendly.

What trundlers did he play in the World Cup? It was Bumrah, Shami and Siraj. 

 

 

[vvvslaxman]

17 minutes ago, Nikhil_cric said:

What trundlers did he play in the World Cup? It was Bumrah, Shami and Siraj. 

 

 

At test level he kept bringing unadakat back into the set up alongwith Mukesh.

[Nikhil_cric]

54 minutes ago, vvvslaxman said:

At test level he kept bringing unadakat back into the set up alongwith Mukesh.

3 Tests for Mukesh and 3 Tests for Jaydev, I think. 

 

GG has already matched that with Anshul Kamboj , Reddy and Shardul Thakur in 2025.

 

 

 

 

[vvvslaxman]

9 minutes ago, Nikhil_cric said:

3 Tests for Mukesh and 3 Tests for Jaydev, I think. 

 

GG has already matched that with Anshul Kamboj , Reddy and Shardul Thakur in 2025.

 

 

 

 

Kamboj was a 135 kph bowler until that match. So they corrected the mistake in on ematch. But Reddy, Thakur were picked mainly for their extra batting. Basically all rounder quota.