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Monty Panesar, a former England spinner, has voiced serious concerns about Gautam Gambhir's effectiveness as the Indian cricket team's head coach. His assertion that the players do not take Gambhir seriously stems from India's recent poor performance in Test matches, including a 0-3 whitewash against New Zealand at home and a 1-3 series loss to Australia in the Border Gavaskar Trophy. This underwhelming performance has cast a spotlight on Gambhir's coaching style and its impact on the team's morale and strategy. Panesar's critique isn't merely a subjective opinion; he grounds his assessment in Gambhir's own relatively modest Test record, particularly his struggles in Australia and England. He points to Gambhir's low batting averages in these countries as a potential reason for the lack of respect from senior players who may have played alongside him previously. The transition from teammate to coach can be challenging, especially when the coach's past performances don't command automatic respect within the team.
Panesar's analysis goes beyond simple criticism. He offers a concrete suggestion for improvement, proposing a restructuring of the coaching roles within the Indian team. He advocates for appointing VVS Laxman, a legendary Indian batsman, as the Test coach, a role he believes Laxman is uniquely suited for due to his exceptional Test record and the widespread respect he commands within the cricketing world. In Panesar's view, Laxman's past achievements would inherently lend credence to his coaching advice, a stark contrast to the perceived lack of authority Gambhir holds. The suggestion is not merely to replace Gambhir entirely, but to reassign him to the limited-overs side (ODIs and T20Is), where his expertise might be more effective. This strategic shift, Panesar suggests, could leverage both coaches' strengths, maximizing their contribution to the team's overall success. This would ensure that the players respect the coach's advice and strategy.
The core of Panesar's argument revolves around the importance of respect and credibility within a team's coaching structure. He argues that a coach's past achievements are vital in shaping players' receptiveness to coaching strategies. A coach with a proven record inspires confidence and encourages players to implement their advice. Conversely, a coach lacking this established track record may struggle to earn the trust and respect necessary for effective coaching. The contrast between Gambhir's modest Test record and Laxman's illustrious career underscores this point. Panesar illustrates this by highlighting the hypothetical scenario: Laxman instructing a player would be listened to, while the same instruction from Gambhir may be dismissed. This highlights the intangible yet critically important element of respect in coaching, which transcends tactical acumen and strategic planning.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has acknowledged the concerns and has already held a review meeting with Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma to discuss the recent poor performances. While the BCCI has shown reluctance to make hasty decisions, the future of Gambhir's position as head coach, and potentially even Rohit Sharma's captaincy, remains uncertain. The upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 could be a pivotal moment, significantly influencing the decision-making process. India's performance in this tournament will likely determine the fate of Gambhir's coaching tenure and provide concrete evidence to support or refute the criticisms leveled against his coaching ability. The outcome will undoubtedly impact the trajectory of Indian cricket in the years to come, with the BCCI likely prioritizing the team's success and overall long-term development over individual coaching appointments.
Source: Don't think players take coach Gautam Gambhir seriously, claims Monty Panesar