IND vs SA: AB de Villiers opens up on Gautam Gambhir's serious criticism
Former South African captain AB de Villiers has weighed in on the ongoing debate surrounding India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, who has faced intense criticism following India’s 2-0 whitewash at the hands of the Proteas in their recent Test series. The defeats have sparked widespread discussion about leadership, team dynamics, and the direction Indian cricket is heading under Gambhir’s stewardship. De Villiers, offering his perspective as both a former player and a seasoned observer, noted that Gambhir was known for his emotional and passionate nature during his playing days.
IND vs SA: AB de Villiers comes straight on Gautam Gambhir's criticism
While such intensity can be an asset on the field, de Villiers cautioned that if Gambhir continues to bring that same emotional approach into his coaching style, it may not always serve the team well. Coaching, he explained, often requires composure, adaptability, and the ability to remain objective during moments of pressure. He further highlighted that players respond differently to leadership styles. Some feel more at ease with a coach who has been a former cricketer and understands the pressures of the game firsthand, while others prefer someone with extensive coaching experience who can offer a broader, more structured approach. According to de Villiers, finding the right balance will be crucial for India as they navigate this transitional phase.
"Speaking on behalf of the Indian side, it’s really difficult. I don’t know what GG is like when it comes to leadership. I’ve known him as an emotional player and if that is the case in the change room, generally an emotional coach is not a good thing to have. But it’s not to say he’s that kind of a coach and the kind of leader behind the scenes. There’s no right and wrong. Some players will feel comfortable with a former player. Some players will be comfortable with a coach that’s never played the game before but he’s got a lot of years of experience of coaching the game,” stated former South African captain AB de Villiers.
AB de Villiers mentioned that one of the most enjoyable phases of his career came when he played under Gary Kirsten, whom he regards as one of South Africa’s finest opening batters and an exceptional mentor. He praised Kirsten’s calm, composed coaching style, noting that his ability to understand players and create a supportive environment played a major role in South Africa’s success during that period.
As for India, de Villiers believes they will be eager to regroup quickly after the Test series setback. The team now shifts focus to the three-match ODI series against South Africa, where they will hope to regain confidence and momentum. The opening match of the IND vs SA ODI series is scheduled to be played at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi on November 30, offering India an opportunity to reset and deliver a stronger performance in the limited-overs format.
“It’s a tough question because I’ve never played under Shukri and I’ve never been in the Indian dressing room with GG, Morne Morkel and Ryan ten Doeschate. It looks great on paper but I don’t know what the dynamic is like behind the scenes. What I can say is it is different for every player. I absolutely love playing under Gary Kirsten; he’s a former player and similar to Gautam Gambhir. Some players might find confidence and feel comfortable with a former player being there, a great of the game and find some extra inspiration to put extra yards for the team and for the coach,” de Villiers added.
