‘Gautam Gambhir Is Not a Coach’: Kapil Dev Questions India Head Coach’s Role Amid Mounting Pressure
Former India captain Kapil Dev has sparked a fresh debate in Indian cricket by stating that Gautam Gambhir is not a coach in the traditional sense, but functions more as a team manager. Kapil made these remarks while speaking at the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Centenary Session, questioning how modern coaching roles are defined at the international level.
Kapil’s comments come amid increasing scrutiny of Gambhir’s tenure as India head coach, especially after the men’s team suffered a 0–2 home Test series defeat to South Africa. It marked India’s second home Test series loss in 2025, following the 0–3 defeat against New Zealand in 2024. Critics have raised concerns over Gambhir’s strategic decisions, including frequent player rotation and the use of part-time bowlers, particularly in the longer formats of the game.
However, Kapil Dev offered a broader perspective by redefining the very role of a coach. According to him, the traditional concept of coaching - focused on technical instruction and skill development - is more relevant at the school and grassroots levels. At the elite international stage, players are already highly specialised professionals in their respective roles.
“How can you be a coach when someone has already been given the name of a leg spinner or a wicketkeeper? How can Gambhir coach them?” Kapil asked, highlighting that modern-day coaching demands strong man-management and leadership skills rather than technical teaching.
For Kapil, a coach’s primary responsibility is not instruction but man-management - building confidence, motivating players, and nurturing an environment where individuals can perform at their best. He explained that an effective mentor provides comfort and reassurance, especially to players struggling with form, and becomes a figure that young athletes can look up to for support rather than instruction.
Kapil also reflected on his own leadership philosophy during his playing days, stressing that supporting underperforming players is more valuable than merely celebrating success. “If someone scores a hundred, I don’t need to have dinner with him. I would rather spend time with those who are not performing,” he said, underlining the importance of personal attention and team cohesion.
While Kapil’s remarks largely defend Gautam Gambhir’s role as a manager, they also draw attention to the evolving expectations from a national team coach. The role now demands a balance between tactical decision-making and psychological leadership, shedding light on deeper debates within Indian cricket regarding coaching structures and performance evaluation.
Gambhir’s stint as India head coach has produced mixed results across formats. India’s struggles in Test cricket have contrasted with stronger performances in white-ball formats, intensifying discussions on whether coaching success should be judged purely on results or also on long-term team development and adaptability.
With the 2027 ICC World Cup cycle approaching, these conversations around coaching philosophy and leadership in Indian cricket are set to gain further momentum. Kapil Dev’s comments have once again placed Gautam Gambhir under the spotlight - not as a traditional coach, but as a modern manager tasked with guiding India’s stars both on and off the field.
Kapil’s comments come amid increasing scrutiny of Gambhir’s tenure as India head coach, especially after the men’s team suffered a 0–2 home Test series defeat to South Africa. It marked India’s second home Test series loss in 2025, following the 0–3 defeat against New Zealand in 2024. Critics have raised concerns over Gambhir’s strategic decisions, including frequent player rotation and the use of part-time bowlers, particularly in the longer formats of the game.
However, Kapil Dev offered a broader perspective by redefining the very role of a coach. According to him, the traditional concept of coaching - focused on technical instruction and skill development - is more relevant at the school and grassroots levels. At the elite international stage, players are already highly specialised professionals in their respective roles.
“How can you be a coach when someone has already been given the name of a leg spinner or a wicketkeeper? How can Gambhir coach them?” Kapil asked, highlighting that modern-day coaching demands strong man-management and leadership skills rather than technical teaching.
For Kapil, a coach’s primary responsibility is not instruction but man-management - building confidence, motivating players, and nurturing an environment where individuals can perform at their best. He explained that an effective mentor provides comfort and reassurance, especially to players struggling with form, and becomes a figure that young athletes can look up to for support rather than instruction.
Kapil also reflected on his own leadership philosophy during his playing days, stressing that supporting underperforming players is more valuable than merely celebrating success. “If someone scores a hundred, I don’t need to have dinner with him. I would rather spend time with those who are not performing,” he said, underlining the importance of personal attention and team cohesion.
While Kapil’s remarks largely defend Gautam Gambhir’s role as a manager, they also draw attention to the evolving expectations from a national team coach. The role now demands a balance between tactical decision-making and psychological leadership, shedding light on deeper debates within Indian cricket regarding coaching structures and performance evaluation.
Gambhir’s stint as India head coach has produced mixed results across formats. India’s struggles in Test cricket have contrasted with stronger performances in white-ball formats, intensifying discussions on whether coaching success should be judged purely on results or also on long-term team development and adaptability.
With the 2027 ICC World Cup cycle approaching, these conversations around coaching philosophy and leadership in Indian cricket are set to gain further momentum. Kapil Dev’s comments have once again placed Gautam Gambhir under the spotlight - not as a traditional coach, but as a modern manager tasked with guiding India’s stars both on and off the field.
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