Gary Kirsten called Gautam Gambhir a “fantastic coach” on the eve of the first Test between Sri Lanka and India at Galle. Kirsten, now Sri Lanka’s head coach, will face Gambhir as the opposing coach starting August 15, 2026.
Kirsten coached India from 2008 to 2011. Gambhir was his player during that period and played a central role in India’s 2011 World Cup win.
“Gautam is a fantastic coach and has had incredible success. He has won the Champions Trophy and T20 World Cup and also had success with Kolkata in the IPL, and his record really speaks for itself.”
Gary Kirsten, Times of India virtual interview, August 14, 2026
“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.”
Gary Kirsten, same interview
Kirsten also reflected on his own time with the Indian team and how that experience shaped his current role.
“It was a great three years and a privileged one to work with Indian players. There was a lot of skill in that dressing room. What I appreciated was that they accepted me into their space and felt I could add value. I’ve approached the Sri Lankan role with the same seriousness.”
Gary Kirsten, same interview
This is a different Kirsten from 13 months ago.
Kirsten Questioned Gambhir’s Style in July 2025
After England beat India in the third Test during the 2025 tour, Kirsten gave a sharply different assessment.
“Well, I don’t know Gautam, the coach, at all. Gautam, the player, I absolutely loved. He’s got a toughness to him that is very useful. I think he’s really strong. But he’s got a personality and he’s got a style. The big thing is does that personality and style connect with Indian players?”
Gary Kirsten, Indian Express, July 2025
Between that comment and this endorsement, Gambhir’s white-ball record improved. India won the Champions Trophy in 2025 and the T20 World Cup in 2026. His Test record moved in the opposite direction.
| Metric | Record |
|---|---|
| Tests as coach | 19 |
| Won | 7 |
| Lost | 10 |
| Drawn | 2 |
| Home whitewashes conceded | 2 (NZ 0-3, SA 0-2) |
| WTC 2025-27 position | 5th (48.15% PCT) |
| ICC white-ball trophies | 2 (CT 2025, T20 WC 2026) |
After the South Africa whitewash, Gambhir himself acknowledged the scrutiny was fair.
“It is upon BCCI to decide… Indian cricket is important, I’m not important.”
Gautam Gambhir, post-match press conference, November 2025
The Sri Lanka series is India’s next chance to collect WTC points, with a tour to New Zealand and a home series against Australia still remaining in this cycle.
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Coaches do not question the opposing coach before a series. It gives the other dressing room a siege mentality. Kirsten knows this. The praise before Galle is standard pre-series diplomacy from a coach who has led three international teams.
The more revealing detail is what Kirsten chose to cite. Champions Trophy, T20 World Cup, IPL. Every achievement is white-ball. He did not name a single Test result to defend Gambhir’s credentials before a Test series. When a coach with Kirsten’s experience builds that case and leaves out the format they are about to play, the omission carries more weight than the words around it.
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Kirsten also spoke about Sri Lanka’s approach for Galle, signalling he is not treating this as a spin-only contest.
“We would like to bring all our skills into the game, not just spin. Whether you’re a seamer or a spinner, if you’re executing your skills properly, you’ll be in the game.”
Gary Kirsten, Times of India virtual interview, August 14, 2026
Sri Lanka swept New Zealand 2-0 at Galle earlier in this WTC cycle and will back themselves at home. India travel to Galle led by Shubman Gill, without Jasprit Bumrah, and with three left-arm spinners in their likely XI.
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