T20 World Cup 2026: 'Gambhir is hard to like and that doesn't help' - Former cricketer's blunt remark ahead of IND vs ZIM match

Published - 26 Feb 2026, 18:39 IST | Updated - 26 Feb 2026, 18:55 IST

Former England fast bowler Steve Harmison believes that Gautam Gambhir's aggressive demeanour could make it difficult for him to remain as head coach of the Indian team if the Men in Blue falter at the ongoing 2026 T20 World Cup.

India had smooth sailing in the group stage, as they won all four of their matches, including the big one against arch-rivals Pakistan. However, they started their Super 8 campaign with a crushing defeat to South Africa, which has jeopardised their chances of progressing to the semi-final.

Harmison explained how Gambhir's job could be at stake if India's campaign ends in the Super 8, which will become a reality if they lose to Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Thursday, February 26.

"Gambhir is hard to like, and that doesn't help. He's very spiky, and I am not sure what he's like in the dressing room. You've got a chance to succeed as an Indian coach only if you have less ego. He'll be gone if he doesn't win this World Cup. But I also admire him for the way he has gone about coaching. He was a prickly character, a prickly player, and a stubborn player. And he has gone into his coaching without the Indian greats," Harmison said on the Talksport Cricket YouTube channel.

"Instead, he has gone in with Morne Morkel and Ryan Ten Doeschate, who, in his eyes, are the best coaches for his way of managing the group. He's loyal to the people he wants to be around, and I admire that about him. The sign of a good coach is admitting when he's wrong and putting it right. It's also one who looks himself in the mirror and say this is not going to work and I need to change the course of this ship. That's something I don't think he's strong at," he added.

Harmison opined that Gambhir is pretty similar to Brendon McCullum as a head coach. The cricketer-turned-commentator said that both Gambhir and McCullum are good interim coaches. The former New Zealand skipper, who is the coach of the England team, is under pressure after losing the Ashes series 1-4 against Australia.

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"McCullum and Gambhir are very similar. I don't think they are great coaches. They are good man-managers and good leaders of experienced men. They are probably good interim coaches. But over three to five years, once a couple of star players fall out or retire, neither are technically good at making the team better. I don't think winning this World Cup is enough for either to keep their job," said Harmison (via the aforementioned source).