NEW DELHI: Former India cricketer and coach Vijay Dahiya shared his thoughts on Gautam Gambhir's coaching stint, Shubman Gill's Test captaincy, Rishabh Pant's leadership, and India's chances in the upcoming Asia Cup.
Speaking exclusively to Sports Yaari, Dahiya - who was part of the Kolkata Knight Riders as assistant coach during their two IPL title wins under Gambhir in 2012 and 2014 - said it is too early to judge Team India's head coach but felt the team is moving in the right direction.
"Whenever someone starts a new role, you need to give them time. If you look at the results so far, there has been progress. The performances in England, managing two hard-fought victories there, show that the team is moving in the right direction," Dahiya told Sports Yaari.
On Gill's Test captaincy
Dahiya appreciated how Gill, despite being a new captain, managed to lead well in tough conditions in England. He stressed that Gill's efforts and the team's performance weren't just noticed in India, but were also appreciated by former England captains Nasser Hussain and Mike Atherton.
"Gill has just been given captaincy, and to deliver in challenging conditions in England is commendable. Experts around the world have praised this series. I was listening to Nasser Hussain and Mike Atherton, and they said they wished the series had gone longer. To fight and take a draw there was a massive achievement," Dahiya noted.
Backs Asia Cup squad
On the much-discussed omission of Shreyas Iyer from India's Asia Cup T20 squad, Dahiya stressed the importance of backing the team once selected.
"Whenever a squad is announced, someone will inevitably miss out. Perhaps people expected Iyer to be an automatic pick after his successful IPL, which is why there's disappointment. But once the team is picked, it's crucial to back it fully," he explained.
Dahiya then reflected on Rishabh Pant's captaincy in the IPL and his remarkable comeback after a life-threatening accident. "When you look at a leader, you look at their character. Pant's character is outstanding. The way he has come back, not just to cricket but to life, is extraordinary. I've seen a big change in his outlook after the accident - his perspective on life and cricket is very different now, and it reflects in his game," Dahiya said.
When asked to compare captains like MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma, he refused to draw direct parallels. "Comparison is the thief of joy. Both are different personalities who bring unique qualities to their teams. Rohit's aggression is distinct, and Dhoni's calmness is unmatched. Both have delivered results in their own ways," he said.
Looking ahead to the Asia Cup, Dahiya was confident about India's prospects. "Skill-wise and mentally, this Indian team is far superior to most others in world cricket, especially in white-ball formats. In T20s, maybe one or two teams can challenge them. Against Pakistan, India clearly has the edge. The competition has been thrilling in the past editions, and I expect the same this year," he concluded.
