Former India fast bowler Munaf Patel has thrown his support behind head coach Gautam Gambhir, arguing that removing him would make it harder to manage the national team and that the coach’s straight-talking approach is one reason many people harbour reservations about him.
Munaf Patel backs Gambhir’s leadership style
Speaking on the Bombay Sport Exchange Podcast, Munaf said that Gambhir’s presence is crucial for keeping the dressing room in order. He suggested that if the coach were to be taken out of the role, handling players would become significantly more complicated, pointing to Gambhir’s honesty and willingness to state things plainly.
- Munaf Patel said that taking Gambhir out as head coach would make player management “very difficult.”
- He claimed Gambhir is a “genuine” person who calls the truth directly, which he believes is disliked by many.
- Munaf added that Gambhir’s mindset remains focused on cricket rather than money, arguing that the coach does not chase financial gain.
- He described Gambhir as someone who speaks the truth “on the face,” and suggested that there is “no betrayal” in his thinking.
Titles, criticism in Tests, and the transition after July 2024
Munaf also referenced Gambhir’s success during his time in charge, noting that the coach has won three major trophies—Champions Trophy, Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup—so far. At the same time, he acknowledged that India’s Test results during Gambhir’s tenure have triggered criticism and raised questions about whether he should continue.
Munaf, who was part of India’s 2011 World Cup-winning side, stressed that Gambhir’s role is still important for maintaining control within the team. He further pointed out that senior players such as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been central figures in world cricket for more than a decade, with their earlier coaching stints including Ravi Shastri and Rahul Dravid.
Gambhir began his current stint as coach in July 2024, during a period when the team was moving through a transition phase. After more than a year in the job, concerns about Test performances led to fresh debates over the future of Kohli and Rohit in the format. Both players subsequently retired from Tests after India lost the Border-Gavaskar series in 2024-25.
Dropping players, “control not friendship” and facing opposition
Munaf said Gambhir has the “guts” to drop players when needed, claiming that this ability helps keep the team structured. He argued that if the coach leaves after three years, the environment could become more scattered because Gambhir, in his view, provides a “complete controlling system.”
- Munaf said Gambhir can keep control and reduce disorder within the squad.
- He claimed Gambhir has the courage to make tough calls, including dropping players if anything goes wrong.
- He said that without Gambhir after three years, the team setup could become more fragmented.
The former India bowler also argued that a coach should not behave like a friend. In his view, the right coaching relationship requires authority and control rather than familiarity, and he suggested that “fear” is necessary to protect the system.
- Munaf said a coach “shouldn’t be a friend.”
- He added that if a coach becomes too friendly, it can spoil the system.
- Munaf emphasised that the coach should have control and that there should be “fear.”
To underline the pressure around Gambhir, Munaf pointed to how many people appear to oppose him. He said that in a commentary panel, eight out of ten people are against Gambhir, and he claimed that four out of five selectors would also be against him. Still, Munaf insisted that Gambhir continues to do his job.
Munaf’s final word on Gambhir’s approach
Munaf concluded by reiterating that Gambhir is effectively the key figure managing players at present, adding that no other coaches would take over that responsibility in his assessment. He portrayed the head coach as someone who remains driven by love for cricket, not by monetary incentives, and maintained that Gambhir’s honesty and firmness are central to the way he runs the role.
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