R Ashwin Unveils Stark Contrast: ‘Rahul Dravid Is Very Regimented, While Gautam Gambhir Is…’

Gautam Gambhir achieved his first success as the Indian cricket team’s coach in Tests. Following Rahul Dravid’s guidance that led to India’s T20 World Cup victory in 2024, Gambhir now carries the responsibility to advance the team. After the Sri Lanka limited-overs tour, the Indian team is entering a long Test season. They will face Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Australia in the coming months. Ravichandran Ashwin will play a key role in this journey.

Ashwin shared his insights on the coaching styles of Gambhir and Dravid. “Gambhir is very relaxed. He asks, ‘Are you coming?’ during the morning huddle. In contrast, Rahul Bhai is more structured. He ensures everything is in order and expects the players to follow that. Gambhir creates a relaxed atmosphere while capturing the minds of the players. He truly cares for the boys,” Ashwin noted on his YouTube channel.

After the first Test against Bangladesh, Ashwin thanked the crowd for their tremendous support. He described the pitch as one of the best he has played on in India and encouraged curators to produce similar pitches for Tamil Nadu’s Ranji Trophy matches.

“The crowd was incredibly passionate about the match,” Ashwin remarked. He praised the pitch conditions, stating, “Easily one of the best cricket pitches I have played on in India for a while. I hope Tamil Nadu plays Ranji Trophy matches on pitches like this. The pitch was laid out excellently and deserves recognition.”

Earlier, curator Pacha had predicted that the pitch would benefit fast bowlers in the morning and become easier for batting, eventually turning as the match progressed. Ashwin confirmed that the first day provided good bounce, enhancing the overall experience of the Test match.