Managing the Indian national cricket team as a head coach is arguably one of the toughest jobs in the sports industry, as the coach has to handle an entire dressing room filled with many stars and superstars. It’s been more than a decade, and Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma continue to top the superstar category across the globe.
Under the guidance of head coach Gautam Gambhir, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken many bold steps, and some of the steps had to be taken due to sudden decisions by some senior cricketers in the team.
Gautam Gambhir took command when the team was at a turning point
When India won the 2024 T20 World Cup with head coach Rahul Dravid, Virat and Rohit were the main cogs of the team. When Virat and Rohit were at their peak, former head coach Ravi Shastri took over the team.
Gautam Gambhir’s coaching method was heavily criticized as the team produced poor results in red-ball cricket. Additionally, the sudden retirement of the two superstars from T20Is and Tests gave rise to a lot of speculation around Gambhir. It cannot be denied that India’s performance in Tests in recent times has not been as good as it could have been.
Gambhir wants to end superstar culture from the team
Gautam Gambhir, having an outspoken personality, never hesitated in solving complex questions with straightforward comments. Even after winning the T20 World Cup 2026, he kept his attitude the same as before. In several interviews, the current boss of the team expressed his opinion against the superstar culture in the dressing room.
“It’s a simple difference, and that difference will always be there. The media wants to create superstars, but as a head coach my job is to build a super team. And that’s the only way I look at my profession because my job is to be absolutely fair, equal and treat everyone equally. After all, those 15 people in that dressing room are exactly my equals,” he said during an interview with ANI after winning the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Munaf Patel’s blunt warning to BCCI
Former India cricketer Munaf Patel said that if the board decides to remove Gautam Gambhir from the post, it will be a troublesome move. Patel believes that Gambhir is the right person to control the team at present.
“Just remember this, if a head coach like Gautam Gambhir is removed, it will be very difficult to handle the players. He is a truthful person; he tells the truth as it is, and many people don’t like that. Everyone knows that if things go off track, he dares to remove that player,” Munaf Patel told Times of India.
“Man-management is the most important thing. And it is not easy. Try saying no to someone like Virat Kohli. Try saying no to Rohit Sharma. Tell me, how many people is Gautam Gambhir making enemies just to coach the country?” Munaf added.
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