Former India fast bowler S Sreesanth has launched a sharp attack on head coach Gautam Gambhir, saying the team doesn’t need a traditional coach at this level and would be better off with a mentor like MS Dhoni.
Speaking on a show called ‘Guest in the Newsroom’, Sreesanth was asked why India have struggled in Test cricket recently, especially after home whitewashes against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa in 2025. He pointed out that both series losses happened under Gambhir’s watch.
In his first season as head coach, Gambhir saw India miss out on the World Test Championship final. They lost 3-0 to New Zealand at home, then lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. A 2-2 draw against England and a 0-2 home loss to South Africa followed, raising more questions about the team’s performance in Tests.
Sreesanth didn’t hold back. “Change the coach, friend. India needs a mentor, not a coach,” he said.
He also said he has a problem with the way Gambhir coaches, claiming he puts “excessive pressure on the players.” He used Dhoni as an example, explaining that an international team doesn’t need a coach who pressures players to do something and then drops them when they fail, something “Dhoni didn’t do.”
Sreesanth said India’s recent T20 World Cup win was driven by Dhoni’s mentality and the self-belief he built in the team. “You have to be a brother first. You can’t just laugh when you win and get angry when you lose. You’ve done well for the country, that’s great. That doesn’t mean others aren’t trying. Have a mentor over a coach,” he said.
He also rejected the idea that Gambhir was solely responsible for India’s T20 World Cup triumph earlier this year, insisting the players deserved most of the credit. He highlighted contributions from Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, and key on-field decisions that helped India lift the trophy.
“When the team won the World Cup, all the credit went to Gambhir. But if Sanju Samson hadn’t been there, Suryakumar Yadav hadn’t captained, and the bowling changes hadn’t been made at the right time, would we have won the match?” Sreesanth asked.
He added that he’d be fine with a coach like Ashish Nehra, who stays involved, but made it clear he’s not a fan of Gambhir’s approach.
BCCI Had Previously Supported Gautam Gambhir Against Coaching Change Calls
The Board of Control for Cricket in India previously denied reports that they’re planning to remove Gautam Gambhir as head coach of the Test team. BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla made it clear that Gambhir is staying.
The rumors started after India lost a Test series 2-0 at home to South Africa. That was India’s second straight home whitewash under Gambhir, following a 0-3 loss to New Zealand the previous year. The New Zealand series cost India a spot in the World Test Championship final. The South Africa loss could also hurt their chances, depending on other results.
Some media reports had suggested that former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman had been approached to replace Gambhir as Test coach. But Shukla shut that down.
“I want to make it very clear regarding the speculation circulating in the media about head coach Gautam Gambhir. The BCCI secretary has also made it very clear that there is no plan to remove Gambhir or bring in a new head coach for India,” Shukla said.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia also denied the reports. “This is totally incorrect news going on. This is totally speculative news. Some very reputed news agencies are also flashing the news. There is no truth to it. BCCI straight away denies.”
Saikia added: “People can think all they want, but BCCI has not taken any steps. This is somebody’s figment of imagination, there is no truth in it.”
The young Indian team has had an unbeaten run in T20Is in 2025. They also played their first World Cup without veteran stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in front of a home crowd.
FAQs
Q. What did S Sreesanth say about Gautam Gambhir?
A. Sreesanth said India would be better off without a traditional coach at this level.
Q. What alternative did Sreesanth suggest?
A. Sreesanth said India should have a mentor like MS Dhoni instead of a coach.
Q. What criticism did Sreesanth make about Gambhir’s coaching style?
A. Sreesanth said Gambhir puts too much pressure on players and drops them after mistakes.
Q. Who did Sreesanth credit for India’s T20 World Cup win?
A. Sreesanth said the players deserved the credit, mentioning contributions from Sanju Samson, and Suryakumar Yadav.
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