Former India fast bowler S. Sreesanth has launched a sharp critique of Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir, suggesting that the national side would be better served by a mentor in the mould of MS Dhoni rather than a conventional coach.
Speaking during an interaction with Lallantop, Sreesanth expressed his concerns over India’s recent struggles in Test cricket and questioned Gambhir’s coaching philosophy. India endured disappointing Test series defeats against New Zealand at home in 2024 and South Africa in 2025, results that came during Gambhir’s tenure as head coach.
When asked about the reasons behind India’s struggles in the longest format, Sreesanth did not hold back.
“Change the coach, friend. India needs a mentor, not a coach,” he said.
The former pacer stressed that managing an international cricket team requires building strong personal relationships with players rather than simply focusing on tactical decisions.
“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,” Sreesanth added.
According to him, Gambhir’s approach places excessive pressure on players, something he believes can negatively impact performances. Drawing a comparison with former India captain MS Dhoni, Sreesanth said successful teams are often built around trust and freedom rather than constant scrutiny.
He argued that Team India flourished under Dhoni’s leadership because of his calm approach and ability to bring the best out of players without burdening them with unnecessary pressure.
“An international team doesn’t need a coach who puts pressure on players. Dhoni never did that. The team was driven by Dhoni’s mentality, and Team India needs a mentor like Dhoni,” Sreesanth remarked.
The former World Cup-winning cricketer also challenged the narrative that Gambhir was solely responsible for India’s success at the 2026 T20 World Cup. While acknowledging the team’s achievement, he credited the players for their performances on the field.
Sreesanth highlighted the contributions of players such as Sanju Samson and captain Suryakumar Yadav, suggesting that individual brilliance and on-field decision-making played a decisive role in India’s title-winning campaign.
“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?” he said.
He further questioned how much influence a coach can realistically have during a live match.
“Was the coach making decisions on the field? It’s fine if we have a coach like Ashish Nehra, who remains involved,” Sreesanth added.
Gambhir, who took charge of Team India following Rahul Dravid’s departure, has overseen mixed results across formats. While India lifted the T20 World Cup under his tenure, the team has also faced criticism following underwhelming performances in Test cricket.
Sreesanth’s remarks have reignited the debate over the role of coaches and mentors in modern cricket, with many fans and experts continuing to discuss whether a hands-on coach or a player-centric mentor is better suited to guide elite international teams.