South African pace legend Dale Steyn has expressed his strong approval of Gautam Gambhir‘s recent appointment as the new head coach of the Indian national cricket team.

Dale Steyn’s admiration for Gautam Gambhir

In an interview with Star Sports, Steyn highlighted Gambhir’s aggressive on-field demeanour and praised his cricketing insight, stating, “I am a big fan of Gautam Gambhir. I love his aggression. He is one of the few Indians that I have played against that kinda came back at you. And I liked that.” 

Steyn believes Gambhir’s fierce approach to the game will be a valuable asset for the Indian team, noting, “Not just in India but in world cricket, they need guys that are a little bit more aggressive. They play the game a little bit harder.” 

The former South African fast bowler also commended Gambhir’s ability to balance his on-field intensity with a gentlemanly off-field persona, saying, “I like the way that he’s fierce on the field, but he’s a gentleman off the field. Then also a streetwise and very smart cricketer and got a great cricket brain.” 

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Cricketing legend’s acknowledgements

Steyn’s former teammate, legendary South African skipper Graeme Smith, echoed similar sentiments, praising Gambhir’s cricketing acumen and the value he will bring to the Indian team. Smith stated, “Great to see guys like him going to the coaching side of things. He’s got a really good cricket brain on him. He’ll bring some fire. He loves playing the game aggressively. I think he will bring that added touch in that. The guys will certainly learn a lot from him, and he’s got a lot to add. He’s gonna add a lot of value to that Indian side.”

Gambhir’s appointment as the new head coach of the Indian national team is seen as a strategic move to bring a fresh perspective and aggressive approach to the team’s performance. Steyn and other cricketing legends believe Gambhir’s leadership and tactical acumen will be instrumental in building on the successes achieved under the previous coach, Rahul Dravid. As Gambhir takes on this new role, the cricketing world eagerly awaits the impact he will have on the Indian team’s future triumphs on the international stage.

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