The India-England series, specifically the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, featured Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir prominently. His coaching helped India achieve a 2-2 draw in the series. Interestingly, it wasn’t his coaching or team choices that made headlines; it was his serious persona. This led to a funny situation with fans, especially in the UK, as revealed by former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik. Karthik shared an amusing story about fans’ complaints regarding Gambhir’s lack of smiles during the India-England series. This incident took place during a broadcast of The Hundred tournament, where Karthik was in conversation with Trent Rockets coach Andy Flower. Trent Rockets had just won against Manchester Originals by seven wickets. After the match, Karthik playfully said that UK fans had sent a letter to Sky Sports, complaining about three people who didn’t smile all summer. These individuals were Gautam Gambhir, commentator Nasser Hussain, and Andy Flower.
Karthik then humorously asked Flower, ‘When you’re coaching in the dugout, why don’t people see a smile on your face?’ Flower responded with a laugh, saying, ‘People completely misunderstand me, and you know that very well.’ Karthik replied, ‘I certainly know.’ The video of this funny exchange is now widely shared on social media.
Gambhir, known for his serious and often intense personality, was key to India’s 2-2 draw in this series. The England series was tough for India, especially when they were down 1-2. But Gambhir’s strategy and the young players’ enthusiasm allowed for a strong comeback in the final Test, resulting in a series tie. Though his coaching was appreciated, his serious demeanor caused a different kind of buzz among fans.