13 August,2026 09:37 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Harbhajan Singh, Gautam Gambhir (Pic: File Pic)
Former cricketer Harbhajan Singh is confused by the criticism Gautam Gambhir has been facing since taking over the role of Team India's head coach.
He said that during their playing days, Gambhir was always a player who used to put the team first.
"Why is Gautam getting so much flak? I have never understood why when a team doesn't do well, people always tend to blame the coach. The Gautam that I have known, was a very passionate player of his time, one who always put the team first," he said.
The former cricketer revealed that back in the day, Gambhir used to interact with very few players when he first came into the team as a youngster. He believes many people struggle to accept the fact that Gambhir speaks the bitter truth which is often difficult for them to digest. Thus, he could come across as a difficult person.
"When he (Gambhir) first came into the team as a youngster, he would only interact with a select few players and would hang out with them. In those days, his friends used to be Viru (Virender Sehwag), Amit Mishra, Munaf Patel. I don't know if he is still friends with them, I guess they still are," said Harbhajan.
"Bohot Badhiya Banda hai woh (Gautam is a top guy). He is very straightforward. For many people, Gautam might say bitter things but what he speaks is the bitter truth. Now, many people can't digest the truth, and perhaps the tone of his comments makes people feel that he is a slightly difficult person," he added.
He then heaped praise on Gambhir by saying that under him, he would want the team to absorb one philosophy of playing to win.
"Don't judge a book by its cover. He is a brilliant guy. He has got a good sense of how the game should be played. I know one thing for sure. Now that he is the coach, he will want his team to imbibe just one philosophy and that is 'Play To Win'. He is someone who will not mind a defeat if the intent is to win a match. If a team goes for a draw, probably he won't take it," said Harbhajan.
(With PTI Inputs)
