“Sanjay Manjrekar’s Blunt Reminder as Gautam Gambhir Begins India Coaching Role”

As Gautam Gambhir steps into his new role as head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team, former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has stirred up debate with his recent remarks. Manjrekar suggested that there is no direct correlation between the success of the team and the head coach. Instead, he emphasized that the overall functioning and environment of Indian cricket play a more significant role in a team’s success.

India’s World Cup victories in 1983, 2007, 2011, and 2023 came under varying coaching setups, including Lalchand Rajput, Gary Kirsten, and Rahul Dravid. Manjrekar pointed out that these triumphs were achieved despite different coaches, arguing that the focus should be on the broader aspects of Indian cricket rather than attributing success to any single individual.

“It’s really about Indian cricket, not who the coach is. Time we stop thinking there is a direct correlation,” Manjrekar stated on social media.

This statement comes as Gambhir prepares for his debut as head coach, starting with a T20I series against Sri Lanka. Gambhir’s role will be pivotal as he aims to lead the team in upcoming major tournaments, including the ICC Champions Trophy (2025), the ICC World Test Championship final (2025), and the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Manjrekar’s comments have sparked a mix of reactions online, with many fans and commentators debating the relevance of his observations, particularly given the timing of Gambhir’s new appointment.

As the Indian team embarks on this new chapter under Gambhir’s leadership, the cricketing community will be keenly watching how the team performs and whether the focus on broader factors, as highlighted by Manjrekar, influences their journey.