Former England player Monty Panesar believes that the one-coach formula for all formats in India will not work for India Gautam Gambhir Having lost six Test matches as head coach. The Indian cricket team's performance has been shaky since Gambhir replaced Rahul Dravid in July 2024.
They struggled in their first international match series Losing to Sri Lanka since 1997 and being whitewashed shockingly 3-0 at home in a Test series by New Zealand. Adding to his problems, India lost the Test series 3-1 to Australia, losing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy ten years later.
However, the Men in Blue are unbeaten in T20I cricket, winning all six matches under new coach Gambhir, but are yet to win an ODI, and now all eyes are on the upcoming three-match ODI series against India at home. ICC Champions Cup 2025.
Monty Panesar demands the sacking of Gautam Gambhir as India's Test coach
Although Gambhir had successful stints as a T20 mentor with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and defending IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). As a captain, the former India batsman has won two IPL titles and also played crucial roles in India's T20 and ODI World Cup victories in 2007 and 2011, respectively.
But his Test numbers are not great in Australia and England, and now his Test performances in India have highlighted his weakness in red-ball cricket, leading many to suggest that the BCCI should have separate coaches for white-ball and Test. difference.
Well, Monty Panesar supported the idea of appointing separate coaches for the Indian cricket team for white-ball and red-ball cricket. He feels that coaching all three teams is too much for Gautam Gambhir, and he might face the top tier, as he has played with them.
Do Indian players have no respect for Gautam Gambhir?
The Times of India quoted Monty Panesar as saying: “I think so. I think this is a good option. I think the workload might be too much for Gambhir…he's just turned into a coach. Sometimes it can be difficult for some of the senior players who are already thinking, “Well, I was his teammate a few years ago; Now he tells us how to play cricket. It may be difficult, this shift as well as his record (as a batsman) is not great in Australia or England.
In Australia, Gambhir has managed just 181 runs in four Tests at an average of 22.62, while in England, he has just 127 runs in five matches at an average of 12.70. Such numbers do not suit a coach from the Test side, and now the BCCI must hand over the Test coaching role to VVS Laxman, Panesar said.
India needs a legend like VVS Laxman for the Test team: Monty Panesar
The former England spinner said Gambhir's Test numbers are not good and this poses a challenge for him to earn respect in the Indian dressing room. He stated that legends like VVS Laxman, who have proven their success under all circumstances, naturally command respect and authority.
Panesar also explained, “I think the selectors will think, does Gambhir take it seriously as a coach, or should we make him focus only on ODIs and T20Is and maybe bring in someone like VVS Laxman, for example (as a Test coach)? Or bring him in as a coach.” Batting to help Gambhir. He is similar to Rahul Dravid. He has been successful in all conditions. I think you need some kind of Indian legend, who has done really well in all conditions, to come in As a coach, because you naturally have that respect.
“If Laxman says to you, 'You're not going to play the ball over the top when you're swinging,' you listen, right? But for Gambhir, I'm not sure if they're taking him seriously or they're just saying, 'Well, yeah,'” he concluded. “We will listen to him, but we will go and play our natural game.”
