Mar 14 • 03:46 UTC 🇮🇳 India Aaj Tak (Hindi)

'Gambhir's real test is yet to come...,' Ganguly warns before ODI World Cup

Sourav Ganguly believes that Gautam Gambhir's true challenge as India's head coach will be the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, despite his recent successes with the team.

Gautam Gambhir, the head coach of Team India, recently celebrated a significant triumph by winning the T20 World Cup 2026, marking him as the first Indian coach to secure two ICC trophies. Under his guidance, the Indian team also claimed the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. The T20 World Cup victory came after overcoming early setbacks, culminating in a decisive win against New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on March 8. This achievement has elevated Gambhir's status in the cricketing community, showcasing his potential as a coach.

However, former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has cautioned that Gambhir's most challenging test lies ahead at the 2027 ODI World Cup scheduled to be held in South Africa. In a recent interview, Ganguly emphasized that the true challenge for Gambhir will arise from adapting to the conditions in South Africa, which could significantly differ from those in India. He expressed confidence, however, in the strength of the team Gambhir is working with, suggesting that it is capable of achieving the desired results in such challenging circumstances.

Ganguly's comments reflect the expectations surrounding India's performance on the international stage, particularly in a high-stakes tournament like the ODI World Cup. As the team prepares for this upcoming challenge, the ability of Gambhir to navigate these complexities will be under scrutiny, heightening the anticipation for the 2027 tournament and the strategies he will implement to lead the team once again to victory.

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