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"Best coach and human being": KKR-reject honours IPL bond; backs Gambhir amid backlash

Akshita Patel

Gurbaz throws in support for Gambhir [Source: @IMManu_18, @KKR_Xtra/X.com]Gurbaz throws in support for Gambhir [Source: @IMManu_18, @KKR_Xtra/X.com]

Rahmanullah Gurbaz has come out strongly in support of Gautam Gambhir, calling him the best coach and human being he has ever worked with. This comes as Gambhir has been facing heavy criticism in India after the team's recent poor Test performances at home. 

Gambhir took over as India's senior team's head coach in 2024. Since then, India lost two home Test series, one in Australia and drew the other in England.

After the latest loss to South Africa, fans are having a go at Gambhir, demanding his sacking as red-ball coach.

Ex-KKR wicket-keeper comes out in support of Gambhir

However, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who was a part of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their IPL 2024 title win when Gautam Gambhir was the mentor of the side, sees a very different side to the former India opener. 

Speaking to PTI during the ILT20 tournament in Dubai, the 24-year-old said he has nothing but respect for Gambhir. 

"If 1.4 billion people are there in your country, you can say 2-3 million will be against him. The rest are with Gautam sir and with India team. He's the best ever coach and human being, mentor that I have had in my career so far. I love the way he goes about things," Gurbaz said.

Gurbaz also reminded critics of the success India has enjoyed in recent times. Under Gambhir's association with the setup, India won the Champions Trophy in the ODI format and the Asia Cup in T20s, along with several bilateral series.

"India just won the Champions Trophy in ODI format, Asia Cup in T20 format. They have won a lot of series, so you can’t blame them for one series. I love the way he goes about his job. When you have a good environment, you will be always on the top," he added.

Talking about his time at KKR, Gurbaz praised the positive atmosphere Gambhir built inside the team. He said the dressing room was relaxed, stress-free, and based on strong discipline.

"He made the environment very easy for us, nothing stressful, nothing strict and that’s why we won the tournament. He is not strict but he is disciplined. He is strict only when something goes against discipline."

BCCI to back Gautam Gambhir despite backlash

Meanwhile, if rumours are to be believed, BCCI is keen on retaining Gautam Gambhir as head coach until 2027, exactly when his contract expires.

Earlier reports suggested that he would be reevaluated after the T20 World Cup 2026. But BCCI is not in any urgency and has shown no immediate plans to remove him.