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India‘s legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev has sparked debate by redefining the modern head coach’s role as more of a “manager” than a traditional coach, specifically commenting on Gautam Gambhir‘s tenure amid recent scrutiny.
Speaking at the Indian Chamber of Commerce ICC Centenary Session, Kapil emphasized man-management over technical coaching ahead of India’s T20 World Cup 2026 preparations. His views come as Gambhir faces pressure following India’s 0-2 home Test whitewash against South Africa in November 2025.
Kapil Dev reacts to coaching evolution of Gautam Gambhir
Dev clarified that today’s “coach” label misrepresents the job, drawing from his school and college experiences where coaches handled basics like leg-spin or wicketkeeping skills.
“Gautam Gambhir can’t be a coach. He can be a manager of the team,” Kapil stated, arguing specialists now train players technically, leaving head coaches to boost morale and handle rotations. He stressed backing underperformers, saying captains should dine with strugglers, not centurions, to build confidence: “You need to give them comfort and say ‘you can do better’.”
This philosophy aligns with Gambhir’s criticized player rotations and part-timer reliance during the South Africa series loss, India’s second home Test whitewash in a year after a 0-3 drubbing by New Zealand in 2024.
Implications for T20 World Cup 2026
Gambhir’s tenure since July 2024 shows mixed results: a 64.70% ODI win rate across 17 matches (11 wins, 5 losses, 1 tie), including the ICC Champions Trophy and Asia Cup triumphs, but Test struggles highlight format-specific challenges. With India set to name its T20 World Cup 2026 squad on December 20, 2025, in Mumbai, upcoming T20Is against South Africa (December 9-19) and New Zealand (January 21-31) serve as key auditions under Gambhir’s aggressive style.
Also WATCH: Gautam Gambhir aggressively handshakes with Indian players after loss in the 2nd T20I against South Africa
Kapil’s endorsement of management-focused leadership could bolster Gambhir, who recently stressed team fitness, honesty, and peaking on time despite admitting India is “not where we want to be” yet. As pressure mounts post-Test failures, Kapil urged unity: captains and managers must prioritize team cohesion over personal glory. This comes amid calls for split coaching, which Kapil sidestepped, favoring whatever suits Indian cricket best.
Kapil’s insights underscore a shift in cricket dynamics, where head coaches like Gambhir manage star-studded squads navigating T20 leagues and white-ball priorities. With the T20 World Cup looming, his call for encouragement over instruction may guide India’s path to redemption.
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