Pakistan’s group stage exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup has created a meltdown among several former cricketers and experts. But none have been as telling as the revelation from Pakistan head coach Gary Kirsten about a lack of unity within the current Pakistan unit. Led by Babar Azam – who regained captaincy from Shaheen Afridi prior to the T20 World Cup – Pakistan crashed out after losses to USA and India. With rumours of groupism within the team, and following Gary Kirsten’s leaked outburst, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has made a witty comment about the situation.

“It worked like ghee on fire,” quipped Aakash Chopra, talking about the fact that anything can get leaked in the Pakistani media, and that it is very difficult to keep secrets after a poor tournament.

“Gary Kirsten has probably said that he didn’t say anything like that but Pakistan cricket is like a strainer. Whatever you put, it leaks from the other end,” Chopra said.

Kirsten – a World Cup-winning coach with Pakistan’s arch-rivals India in 2011 – had reportedly said that the lack of unity within the Pakistan team is something he’d never seen the like of.

“There’s no unity in Pakistan’s team. They call it a team, but it isn’t a team. They aren’t supporting each other; everyone is separated, left and right. I’ve worked with many teams, but I’ve never seen such a situation,” Kirsten had reportedly said, in a leak by Geo News.

Despite Kirsten denying that he had made these statements, the possibility of Kirsten’s complaints being leaked paints a poor image of Pakistan’s media at a time when the cricket team is struggling for support.

“When a private conversation within a dressing room is leaked… it exposes the insecurity within,” tweeted reputed journalist Harsha Bhogle.

Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh – a part of India’s 2011 World Cup-winning team under Kirsten – asked his former coach to come back to the Men In Blue.

“Don’t waste your time there Gary, come back to coach Team INDIA,” Harbhajan posted on X.

When a private conversation within a dressing room is leaked, with a few embellishments I am sure, it exposes the insecurity within. It will be a learning curve for Gary Kirsten but he is a good man and Pakistan will do well to seek the benefits of his knowledge. When he was with…

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 17, 2024

Don’t waste ur time there Gary .. Come back to Coach Team INDIA .. Gary Kirsten One of the rare .. A Great Coach ,Mentor, Honest nd very dear friend to all in the our 2011 Team .. our winning coach of 2011 worldcup . Special man Gary @Gary_Kirsten https://t.co/q2vAZQbWC4

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) June 17, 2024

India continue their 2024 T20 World Cup campaign with their first Super 8 clash against Afghanistan on June 20.

Former India cricket team opener Gautam Gambhir is reportedly leading the race to replace Rahul Dravid as the new head coach of the men’s national side. Gambhir gave his interview to the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) on Tuesday, and another round is reportedly set to be held on Wednesday. As the cricket world waits for the official announcement, it’s being said that Gambhir is the overwhelming favourite for the job. With the Kolkata Knight Riders mentor looking set for the job, former India opener Aakash Chopra has fired a warning to ageing India stars like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja.

“Gautam Gambhir has given the interview. It’s been said that it was a virtual interview as opposed to WV Raman, who gave a fantastic presentation. I have just read that. Gautam Gambhir is the frontrunner in this race. It’s been said everywhere and we have also understood that,” Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel.

“I am saying it will be an interesting tenure because you will have to manage the transition here, and that is never an easy thing. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Mohammed Shami, maybe Ravindra Jadeja, especially their roles in T20s, there are plenty of people who are on the wrong side of 30, 35 to 37, including Ravichandran Ashwin,” he added.

Gambhir’s contract, if awarded, will run until the conclusion of the 2027 ODI World Cup. In this period, many current superstars of the team will be closer to 40s than to 30s. Hence, Chopra feels some big calls could be taken as the roadmap for the future is prepared.

“In the next three to four years, when the 2027 World Cup comes, you have to prepare your team for that. There will also be a WTC in 2027 and a T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka in 2026. So a very important roadmap will have to be prepared,” he said.

“It’s not going to be easy because it’s said that transitions are most difficult. A very important job is to not let performances drop when transitions are happening. Secondly, transitions happen properly when you communicate well because you need to explain the reasons to players who are being retained and let go of,” Chopra asserted.

Aakash Chopra feels Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan might not play for MI next season.© BCCI

As the speculation on who’ll be the next Indian cricket team head coach gains steam, there are several names that are doing the rounds. Current coach Rahul Dravid will be at the helm till the 2024 T20 World Cup, which runs till June-end. The tenure of the next coach will start from July and will run till December 31, 2027. An advertisement to apply for the post has already been released by the BCCI. The deadline to submit it is May 27. From CSK coach Stephen Fleming to DC coach Ricky Ponting to KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir, the names that are doing the rounds are varied. 

ESPN Cricinfo recently reported that Gambhir was approached by the BCCI for the India coach’s job. The report further said the more discussions will take place after Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL 2024 engagement gets over.  

Gautam Gambhir’s former Delhi state teammate Aakash Chopra, however, raised an important issue. he said that if there are seniors in the side, Gambhir’s style of coaching may not suit the Indian cricket team.

“Not a bad choice, there is no doubt about that, because he is a straightforward person. He knows how to manage and build a team. I really rate him high when it comes to the auction. However, there will be no auction for the Indian team,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

“Gautam Gambhir – the coach, Very strong personality. When there is a transition, a new captain is coming, then yes. However, if the team has a lot of seniors already, I will be a little wary because Gauti’s style of working is almost like a strict father. When the father is strict, the children have to be a little careful,” Chopra added.

“When you have very senior players in the team, you are looking for a big brother who keeps his hand on their shoulders and doesn’t try to impose himself. With Gautam that’s not going to happen. It’s very simple with him. My way or the high way. When it’s ‘my way’ then every time, especially when seniors are there, things may not always fall your way. You can do that with young players. That is what I feel.”

Gambhir has never coached a side at the domestic level but he was the mentor for IPL side Lucknow Super Giants in 2022 and 2023 before joining KKR ahead of the 2024 season. During his time with LSG, the side reached the playoffs twice and he repeated the feat once again with KKR this season.

As a player, Gambhir was part of the Indian cricket team which won the T20 World Cup in 2007 and the ODI World Cup in 2011. He produced brilliant performances in the final of the both tournaments.