Former Indian fast bowler S Sreesanth has expressed strong criticism regarding the head coach Gautam Gambhir, suggesting that the national team might benefit more from a mentor like MS Dhoni rather than a traditional coaching approach. During a recent appearance on The Lallantop’s show, Guest in the Newsroom, Sreesanth questioned Gambhir’s impact on the team and connected India’s recent troubles in Test cricket to his leadership as head coach.

The discussion highlighted India’s decline in the Test format after an extended period of dominance. Notably, the team faced a disappointing 0-3 series defeat at home against New Zealand in 2024, followed by another home loss to South Africa in 2025. Additionally, India failed to qualify for the World Test Championship final, marred by a poor performance during a series loss in Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

While addressing the issue, Sreesanth pointed out that these defeats occurred during Gambhir’s tenure. He firmly stated, “Change the coach, friend. India needs a mentor, not a coach,” making it clear that he believed a change was essential for the team’s future success.

Need For A More Supportive Environment

Sreesanth articulated his concerns regarding Gambhir’s coaching methods, claiming that international players require encouragement rather than constant pressure. He cited MS Dhoni’s leadership as a model to emulate. “There is too much pressure on the players,” he said, adding that at the highest level, mentoring provides players with the essential confidence to perform.

The former cricketer referred to Dhoni’s ability to cultivate a nurturing atmosphere, which he believes contributed to numerous successes. According to Sreesanth, Dhoni’s foremost strength was the confidence he instilled in players, coupled with the freedom he allowed them to express themselves on the field. “Team India needs a mentor like Dhoni,” Sreesanth noted, emphasising the importance of a supportive leader.

He further elaborated on the need for coaches to recognise players’ efforts and emotions, indicating that a strong bond within the team is crucial for overall performance. Sreesanth remarked, “You can’t just laugh when you win and get angry when you lose. Have a mentor over a coach.”

Debate Over Credit For Recent Success

In the discussion, Sreesanth also questioned the narrative attributing India’s T20 World Cup victory earlier this year solely to Gambhir’s influence. While he acknowledged the coach’s role, he argued that the emphasis placed on the support staff overshadowed the contributions of the players who performed on the field.

“When the team won the World Cup, all the credit went to Gambhir. But if Sanju Samson hadn’t performed or Suryakumar Yadav hadn’t captained, would we have won?” Sreesanth questioned, stressing the need for balanced recognition of contributions within the team framework.

He insisted that coaches should complement the players’ efforts rather than dominate the narrative surrounding achievements. Sreesanth lauded figures like Ashish Nehra, who engage closely with players, highlighting the importance of sincere involvement in the team’s dynamics. “Was the coach making decisions on the field? It’s fine if we have a coach like Ashish Nehra, who remains involved,” he remarked.

Mixed Outcomes Under Gambhir’s Leadership

Gautam Gambhir, who assumed the role of head coach following Rahul Dravid’s departure, has experienced a mix of successes and challenges across various formats. Although India celebrated their T20 World Cup triumph under his guidance, performances in Test cricket have faced scrutiny due to several disappointing results both at home and abroad. This has led to ongoing discussions regarding the team’s direction in the longer format.

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