“You lifted the trophy without Jasprit Bumrah” - Ex-Indian cricketer lauds Gautam Gambhir as white-ball coach

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has heaped praise on the Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir for his excellent numbers as a white-ball head coach. Notably, Team India won the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 under Gambhir earlier this year.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra stated that India went on to lift the ICC title without the likes of Jasprit Bumrah in the playing XI. Moreover, he also hailed the selection of Varun Chakravarthy, who turned the tournament in India’s favour as Men In Blue lifted the title, defeating New Zealand in the final.

"Not many ODIs have happened. Only 11 matches have been played, but it includes the Champions Trophy win. Once you have won the Champions Trophy, I think this is the pinnacle. Only one ICC event has happened in his tenure, and you have lifted the trophy there," Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

"The team selection was slightly against the grain. There were four spinners, and you played all four. That was phenomenal. Varun Chakaravarthy played and he became your trump card. There you have to give him the credit. There was criticism, but he stuck to his guns. You lifted the trophy without Jasprit Bumrah. Thumbs up to you with both hands there," he added.

Moreover, Chopra also talked about Gambhir’s impeccable record in T20Is. He also asserted that he would be keen to watch how the new vice-captain Shubman Gill fares in the shortest format of the game as an opener.

"He has an impeccable record in T20Is. In T20 cricket, he has created a new template. It will be interesting to see how Shubman Gill fits into this template as an opener. Considering the number of chances and confidence Sanju Samson was given, it seems like you invest in people and back them to the hilt," he stated.

"You might say that he is not doing it now. Selection is the selectors' job. The coach's job is to play players from the team provided. I don't think you should be looking at Gautam Gambhir at all for Shubman opening or becoming the vice-captain," Chopra concluded.

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