Sri Lankan head coach Gary Kirsten has showered praise on India’s chief coach Gautam Gambhir ahead of the two-match Test series between the two teams. Under Gambhir’s tutelage, India has won the 2025 Champions Trophy and the 2026 T20 World Cup. However, India has had mixed results in the Test format under Gambhir’s guidance, including home Test series losses against New Zealand and South Africa.
Meanwhile, Kirsten observed Gambhir from close quarters when he was the Indian team’s head coach. Gambhir scored a fighting knock of 97 runs in the ODI World Cup final against Sri Lanka under Kirsten’s umbrella.
15 years later, both the former left-handed openers are up against each other.
“He’s a fantastic coach. He’s had incredible success. He has won a T20 World Cup (2026) and the ICC Champions Trophy (2025). He’s also had success in the IPL (Gambhir was the team mentor for 2024 IPL champs Kolkata Knight Riders),” Kirsten said while speaking to Times of India.
Kirsten said he was optimistic about Gambhir’s success as a coach.
“His record speaks for itself. I really enjoyed working with him when he was a player. He’s a smart cricketer and I knew he’d have success as coach,” he added.
The former South African opener recalled that he had a great stint with the Indian team.
“It was a great three years and a privileged one to work with Indian players,” the former South African opener stated.
Kirsten played a key role in the success of the Indian team in the 2011 World Cup, with MS Dhoni leading his troops with aplomb.
India will face Sri Lanka in the first Test at Galle from August 15.
