Gurbaz hails Gambhir as 'best coach, human being', says backlash makes 'no sense'
Dubai (PTI): Gautam Gambhir's coaching methods may have polarised opinions in India but dashing Afghanistan keeper batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz has no hesitation in admitting former KKR Mentor as the "best coach" that he has played under and is baffled by the kind of criticism levelled at him in recent weeks.
Gambhir has faced the wrath of one and all after India’s 0-2 Test home whitewash against South Africa that came a year after the unprecedented 0-3 home series defeat to New Zealand, ending India's long-standing dominance at home, where they have now lost five of their last seven Tests.
Gurbaz, an integral part of the IPL winning KKR squad in 2024, feels that this outrage against his "Gautam sir" doesn't make much of a sense.
"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. It doesn’t make sense to talk about them," the 24-year-old told PTI in an interview on the sidelines of the fourth season of the ILT20 here.
"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," Afghanistan opener couldn't stop waxing eloquent.
He was quick to point out at the kind of success Indian team has enjoyed under Gambhir's stewardship.
"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."
Gurbaz said Gambhir’s biggest strength was the environment he built at KKR of a relaxed, pressure-free and rooted in discipline which allowed the team to flourish.
"I love the way he goes about his job. When you have a good environment, you will be always on the top. He made the environment very easy for us, nothing stressful, nothing strict... and that’s why we won the tournament," he said.
"He is not strict but he is disciplined. He is strict only when something goes against discipline."
The Afghan opener said Indian cricketers deserve empathy, not harsh judgment when chips are down.
"As a cricketer, I will never blame players because everyone works hard and tries their best. They lost, so what? They are human. Sometimes you lose -- it’s part of life. When you are going through bad times, that’s when you need support."
Gurbaz called his three-year stint with KKR “very exciting”.
"Being with KKR for 3 years and then winning the championship was very good."
He also recalled being part of Gujarat Titans’ victorious 2022 campaign.
"I am the guy who went won two IPL championships -- first year with Gujarat," he said, referring to his stint as a replacement signing.
Released ahead of the upcoming auction by KKR, he is looking forward to the auction later this month.
"I am in the auction now...will see whoever wants me, where I deserve to go. Looking for a great season ahead."
He added that Delhi Capitals, apart from KKR, is his favourite team as India's national capital is his favourite city.
"Delhi feels like home. When I am in Delhi I feel like I am in Afghanistan," said Gurbaz, who would often frequent Afghan eateries in capital's Lajpat Nagar, Bhogal, Jangpura areas.
Gurbaz further backed Shubman Gill to grow as a leader.
"I wish him very best of luck for his captaincy. Why not? If he can do captaincy in IPL, Test and ODI sides, he can lead anywhere."
He said defending champions India will start favourites in the next year's T20 World Cup even without Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
"India have a lot of players. Virat and Rohit have a specific place in India… it should be forever and we will remember them forever."
Afghanistan face New Zealand, South Africa, Canada and UAE in their group in the tournament beginning on February 7.
"Just looking forward to win the two matches to qualify. We don't target specific teams... Cricket is the only game where any team can beat you."
"UAE, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa are all the same for us. Cricket can hurt you if you take someone lightly."
Representing Gulf Giants this season, Gurbaz said: "ILT20 is a very exciting tournament. Most of the IPL players are here... It is a very clean, nice, tough competition. Looking forward to doing good performance."
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Revanth Reddy slams BJP over 'Congress-mukt Bharat' sloganHyderabad, Feb 21 (PTI) Telangana Chief Mi
Hyderabad (PTI): Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Saturday asserted that money is not a priority for Gandhi-Nehru family, saying if the Congress workers pooled funds, they could raise atleast Rs 10,000 crores for the family.
Addressing a training programme organised at Vikarabad near here by AICC for District Congress Committee (DCC) presidents of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, he accused the BJP of "insulting" Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi by levelling allegations of corruption against them.
He also said the family had sacrificed three generations for the nation.
"Along with Congress, if there is any party which has a history of 100 years in the country, it is the CPI. All others came into existence as political parties on the basis of freedom we secured, the Constitution we gave and after we (Congress) strengthened the country. Now, they are becoming dangerous parties by giving the slogan of 'Congress-mukt Bharat."
Describing the Congress as the "soul of India", he said parties like BJP are trying to weaken its legacy.
Questioning the corruption charges against the Gandhi-Nehru family, the CM asked, "Is money a priority for the Gandhi family which sacrificed three generations for the sake of the country?"
According to him, Congress workers in Telangana alone could mobilise Rs 1,000 crores if they chose to do so.
He alleged a conspiracy to silence the Gandhi-Nehru family, claiming that it repesents the Dalits, STs and minorities.
Reddy urged Congress leaders and workers to counter such attempts.
Referring to the freedom movement, he said while the Britishers did not take extreme action against Mahatma Gandhi, those with the ideology that BJP inherited took the life of Father of the Nation soon after Independence.
Highlighting the contributions of Nehru family to the country, he said, "Motilal Nehru donated assets worth thousands of crores to the country and Jawaharlal Nehru spent 10 years in jail" during freedom struggle, while former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi sacrificed their lives.
Though Rahul Gandhi inherited such a great legacy, he undertook a 'padayatra' across the nation, Reddy said.
He also said party workers who remained loyal when the Congress was in the opposition have been rewarded with nominated posts and MLA tickets after it came to power.
"You may feel that nobody is observing you. You may feel you will get (ticket to contest) in some quota if you take the support of a leader just before elections. But, there are no quotas now. Only merit quota is there in Congress," he said.
Reddy also urged the DCC presidents to treat their positions with utmost respect, avoid lobbying for various things and focus on people's welfare.
