Former India bowling coach Bharat Arun discussed the coaching style of current head coach Gautam Gambhir, noting that Gambhir assigns clear roles while empowering players to excel. Both previously collaborated in the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) during the IPL 2024 season, where Gambhir served as a mentor.
Arun believes that Gambhir’s ability to coach T20 successfully lies in the freedom he gives his players. Gambhir took on the head coaching role for India after Rahul Dravid stepped down following the 2024 T20 World Cup. While the Indian team has struggled in longer formats under his leadership, they have thrived in T20 matches.
“He allows you to express yourself. My experience with Gambhir is straightforward. He is demanding but lays out the process, leaving it to the players to execute. Thanks to the wealth of experience within the Indian team and their IPL background, we have become a strong T20 side,” Arun shared with RevSportz.
Arun credited India’s recent T20 success to the Indian Premier League, emphasizing that it creates an atmosphere for quick player development. Since the last T20 World Cup, India has excelled, winning eight consecutive T20I series and capturing the 2025 Asia Cup title.
“In my observation of leagues globally, I can confidently say the IPL offers the highest standards. With ten teams, any team can win. Competing in this format alongside top players helps you gauge your performance,” Arun stated.
Arun noted that the Indian team must practice in all conditions, including with a wet ball. India chose to bat first in their last two matches despite dew concerns in the second innings. Although bowlers have managed reasonably well, they allowed over 200 runs in both the fifth T20I against New Zealand and the warm-up match versus South Africa.
“It’s possible to prepare for dew. Practicing with a wet ball is crucial. Some batters hesitate to face a wet ball, as it can damage bats during practice. Bowlers also face challenges and need to adapt to maintain their effectiveness with a wet ball,” Arun explained.
