IND vs ENG: England coach Brendon McCullum gives huge certificate to Gautam Gambhir ahead of T20I opener

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India's T20I adventure against England starts on Thursday (January 22) as they face them in Kolkata.

Unlike the recent South Africa tour, Gautam Gambhir will take the reins as Head Coach of the Indian cricket team during the T20I series against England.

However, Gambhir's tenure as Head Coach has been a mixed bag so far. With India's inconsistent performances, especially in Test cricket, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to reassess his role after the conclusion of the Champions Trophy.

England will head into the series under the guidance of their Head Coach Brendon McCullum. The former New Zealand skipper has taken charge of the English team across all formats. McCullum, who shared a successful stint with Gambhir as a teammate at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL, reflected on his past experiences with the Indian coach.

"What I will say about Gautam Gambhir is I've worked with him before, and he's an outstanding leader. He's a really strong leader of men, and in the time that he's had in any sort of leadership positions which he's held previously, he's been able to excel, I'm sure," McCullum said during a media interaction ahead of the series opener in Kolkata.

India's performance under Gambhir's coaching, particularly in Test cricket, has been concerning. The team has lost six of their last ten Test matches, managing just two victories while the other two ended in draws. These results have sparked debates among fans and experts about whether Gambhir is the right fit for the role of Head Coach.

Reports suggest that Gambhir is attempting to bring more discipline to the squad and challenge the perceived superstar culture within the team. While his approach has drawn criticism, others believe it could be the change the team needs.

After the England series, the upcoming Champions Trophy will be a crucial assignment for the Indian team.