Avesh Khan, an IPL fast bowler of the Lucknow Super Giants, revealed recently what was told to him by Gautam Gambhir regarding his coaching methods. There are several things that Gambhir is known for intense focus on winning and commitment to getting the best out of his players. Discussing experiences reprised in mentorship under Gambhir, Avesh showed a glimpse of what makes Gambhir stand out as an exceptional coach.
Avesh found Gambhir to be pretty direct in his style during team meetings. He wants to have less talk but drive the point very cleanly. During in-meeting or individual meetings, he works on assigned tasks and roles to the players. This helps set clear expectations and keeps every man in the team very focused on the winning goal.
Gautam Gambhir’s Unique Style of Coaching
Being a coach, he wants to win matches, but at the same time, he wants every player to give their best. According to Gambhir, the coaching philosophy is no-nonsense, and he believes that success itself is the aim.
Avesh Khan added:
Gambhir always teaches that players must strive to outclass opponents at all times and give their maximum effort to the game. That kind of mindset is what Gambhir brings to the table as a coach.
Avesh Khan credits the stature of Gambhir’s coaching style as having a strong influence on his approach to the game. According to Avesh, the learning lessons from Gambhir essentially revolve around keeping a competitive mindset. That is, to be better than what the opposition can dish out, and to go full throttle in every game situation. Avesh also shared his experiences from the current tour in Zimbabwe. He enjoys the conditions at Harare Sports Club, having taken six wickets in three matches.
Conditions at the ground vary from game to game; at times, different pitches are in use, making every pitch different. Despite these changes, Avesh takes pleasure in adjusting to the conditions and uses these bigger boundaries to good effect. Avesh discussed how the pitches at Harare Sports Club have thrown up different challenges. In the first couple of games, he said that there was a different kind of bounce and pace on the pitch from one match to another. He had said that playing these daytime games meant the wicket was going to dry out and things would change with the ball. As a bowler, one needs to adapt, he said.
Avesh’s Role Within the Team
Avesh explained his role as a bowler in terms of providing flexibility to his captain. He wants to give his captain the option of using him in various ways during the game, either in the powerplay, middle overs, or death overs. Offering this versatility with regards to bowling strategies is one way in which Avesh tries to add ease to the captain’s job and thereby support the team’s strategy.
He also spoke about Jasprit Bumrah and how he learned from him. Avesh respects Bumrah because of the solid thinking process he is made of and his way of implementing those ideas in the execution of bowling plans. I admire how frequently and consistently he hits his lengths, and that’s what I strive for in my bowling.
He says that Avesh reiterated the fact that execution is key while bowling, something he learned from watching Jasprit Bumrah. He shared that one big reason behind Bumrah’s success was his consistency in terms of delivering the right ball at the right time, and this craft is something Avesh is working toward.
In other words, Avesh Khan’s reflections on Gautam Gambhir’s coaching methods give an insight into what makes Gambhir an effective coach. It is through his personal experience that he learns about the winning mindset, clear communication, and strategic execution herein.
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