Kapil Dev Discusses Gautam Gambhir's Coaching Approach Amid Criticism

In a recent discussion, Kapil Dev highlighted the evolving role of coaches in cricket, particularly addressing the criticisms faced by Gautam Gambhir. He emphasized that modern coaching is more about managing players than direct instruction. Kapil also reflected on the potential of legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar in today's T20 format. Additionally, former women's team captain Mithali Raj shared her emotional experience of witnessing India win the World Cup at home. This article delves into their insights and the changing dynamics of cricket coaching.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 19, 2025, 20:11 IST

Kapil Dev's Perspective on Coaching in Modern Cricket

Kapil Dev, the first captain of India to win a World Cup, addressed the ongoing criticism surrounding Gautam Gambhir's coaching methods on Thursday. He emphasized that in today's cricket landscape, the role of a head coach leans more towards managing players rather than providing direct coaching.

Following India's 0-2 defeat in the Test series against South Africa, Gambhir has faced scrutiny as the head coach, particularly regarding his strategy of frequently rotating players and relying on makeshift options.

Kapil pointed out that the term 'coach' is often misunderstood in contemporary cricket. Speaking at the Indian Chamber of Commerce's ICC centenary session, he remarked, 'The term we use today, 'coach', has become quite common. Gautam Gambhir cannot be a coach; he can be a team manager.'

He elaborated, 'When we refer to a coach, we think of someone from whom I learned during school and college. Those individuals were my coaches. They could manage me.' Kapil questioned Gambhir's ability to coach specific roles, saying, 'How can you be a coach? How can Gautam coach a leg spinner or a wicketkeeper?'

He further stated, 'I believe management is crucial. As a manager, you encourage players by instilling confidence in them, as young players tend to trust you.' Kapil also expressed that if Sunil Gavaskar played in this era, he would be the best T20 batsman.

Kapil shared, 'I love all formats of cricket—T20, T10, ODIs, everything. I often say that if Sunil Gavaskar played today, he would excel in T20 as well.' He added, 'For those with strong defense, hitting becomes easier. Defense is challenging. Therefore, I always emphasize remembering those with excellent defense, as they can play aggressively due to the extra time they have.'

During the session, former captain of the Indian women's team, Mithali Raj, reminisced about the moment India recently won the World Cup at home. She expressed, 'Seeing 'India' written on that trophy evoked a strange feeling... because every time you qualify for the finals, there's a photo shoot, and you find yourself next to the trophy, only looking at Australia, England, and New Zealand.' She reflected, 'I was there twice. I had the chance to take that photo, and each time I wondered when we would see 'India' on it, and finally, we did.'