NEW DELHI: Pacer Avesh Khan on Friday appreciated the determined coaching style of Gautam Gambhir, focussed on winning and extracting the best from his players.
Gambhir, recently appointed as Team India‘s head coach, will begin his tenure with a white-ball series against Sri Lanka starting July 26.
Avesh, who has worked under Gambhir’s mentorship at Lucknow Super Giants in IPL, shared insights into Gambhir’s coaching approach ahead of India’s fourth T20I against Zimbabwe in Harare.
“Whatever I have learned from him, it is about the mindset that you should always look to get the better of your opponent and give your 100 per cent,” Avesh said in the press conference ahead of India’s fourth T20I in Harare on Saturday against Zimbabwe.
“In team meetings, as well as one-on-ones, he would speak less but would convey his point as to what is to be done. He would assign tasks and roles to players and he has always been a ‘team coach’, he always wants to win and everyone to give their 100 per cent,” Avesh said.
Avesh has been satisfied with his performance, taking six wickets in three matches. He highlighted the varying conditions at the Harare Sports Club, noting the nuances of the pitch over different games.
“We have played on different wickets here. We played the first two matches on the same deck, there was good bounce in the first match but in the second it had flattened out. The conditions are good, since it is an open ground the ball also swings a bit,” he said.
“But since these matches are played in daytime, sometimes the wicket dries up but as a bowler you should be prepared to bowl in all situations.”
“I always try to take wickets for my team and with bigger boundaries here, as a bowler that is enjoyable,” Avesh added.
Avesh said he finds joy in bowling on grounds with larger boundaries, focusing on taking wickets for his team. He placed a strong emphasis on making his captain’s job easier by being adaptable in various stages of the game.
“I try to give a freehand to the captain, in terms of using me whenever he wants to. If a captain has a bowler who can be used in all three stages — powerplay, middle overs and in the death — his number of options increases,” he said.
“As a bowler, I always think of providing that as an option, bring in new elements such as developing a slow bouncer or a leg-cutter from outside off-stump or near the wide line,” Avesh added.
Avesh said Jasprit Bumrah’s clarity of thoughts in execution as a bowler sets him apart, which is something he wants to emulate as well.
“Like Virat bhai said, he is once in a generation bowler, it is true and we all believe so. His style of bowling and his mindset are different, but main (thing) is his execution, for which we all practice,” he said.
“Whenever I speak with him, he tells me to focus on the execution. If you are thinking of sending down a yorker, then it has to be a yorker; it cannot be a full toss or a half volley, a bouncer has to be on the shoulders; a length ball has to be (aimed at) the top of off (stump),” Avesh added.
Gambhir, recently appointed as Team India‘s head coach, will begin his tenure with a white-ball series against Sri Lanka starting July 26.
Avesh, who has worked under Gambhir’s mentorship at Lucknow Super Giants in IPL, shared insights into Gambhir’s coaching approach ahead of India’s fourth T20I against Zimbabwe in Harare.
“Whatever I have learned from him, it is about the mindset that you should always look to get the better of your opponent and give your 100 per cent,” Avesh said in the press conference ahead of India’s fourth T20I in Harare on Saturday against Zimbabwe.
“In team meetings, as well as one-on-ones, he would speak less but would convey his point as to what is to be done. He would assign tasks and roles to players and he has always been a ‘team coach’, he always wants to win and everyone to give their 100 per cent,” Avesh said.
Avesh has been satisfied with his performance, taking six wickets in three matches. He highlighted the varying conditions at the Harare Sports Club, noting the nuances of the pitch over different games.
“We have played on different wickets here. We played the first two matches on the same deck, there was good bounce in the first match but in the second it had flattened out. The conditions are good, since it is an open ground the ball also swings a bit,” he said.
“But since these matches are played in daytime, sometimes the wicket dries up but as a bowler you should be prepared to bowl in all situations.”
“I always try to take wickets for my team and with bigger boundaries here, as a bowler that is enjoyable,” Avesh added.
Avesh said he finds joy in bowling on grounds with larger boundaries, focusing on taking wickets for his team. He placed a strong emphasis on making his captain’s job easier by being adaptable in various stages of the game.
“I try to give a freehand to the captain, in terms of using me whenever he wants to. If a captain has a bowler who can be used in all three stages — powerplay, middle overs and in the death — his number of options increases,” he said.
“As a bowler, I always think of providing that as an option, bring in new elements such as developing a slow bouncer or a leg-cutter from outside off-stump or near the wide line,” Avesh added.
Avesh said Jasprit Bumrah’s clarity of thoughts in execution as a bowler sets him apart, which is something he wants to emulate as well.
“Like Virat bhai said, he is once in a generation bowler, it is true and we all believe so. His style of bowling and his mindset are different, but main (thing) is his execution, for which we all practice,” he said.
“Whenever I speak with him, he tells me to focus on the execution. If you are thinking of sending down a yorker, then it has to be a yorker; it cannot be a full toss or a half volley, a bouncer has to be on the shoulders; a length ball has to be (aimed at) the top of off (stump),” Avesh added.
