Sreesanth Calls for Mentorship Over Coaching Amid Gambhir's Leadership Critique

NEW DELHI: Former Indian fast bowler S Sreesanth has publicly criticized head coach Gautam Gambhir, advocating for a mentorship approach rather than traditional coaching for the national team. He suggested that a figure similar to MS Dhoni would be more beneficial for the squad's development. In a recent discussion on Lallantop, Sreesanth addressed India's ongoing challenges in Test cricket, particularly following home series losses to New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa in 2025, both occurring during Gambhir's leadership.

Sreesanth emphasized the need for a mentor who can foster relationships with players instead of solely focusing on results. "Change the coach, friend. India needs a mentor, not a coach," he stated. He elaborated on the importance of understanding players' motivations, explaining, "You have to be a brother first. You can't just laugh when you win and get angry when you lose." He argued that successful teams thrive under supportive leadership rather than the pressure of high expectations.

The 42-year-old further accused Gambhir of overwhelming players, contrasting this with Dhoni's more relaxed and supportive style. "I have an issue with the way he coaches. There is too much pressure on the players," Sreesanth observed, adding, "Dhoni never put players under pressure and then dropped them if things didn't work out." He insists the Indian team needs a mentor akin to Dhoni's approach to succeed.

Additionally, Sreesanth contested the notion that Gambhir was the sole architect behind India's T20 World Cup victory in 2026, highlighting the critical roles of players like Sanju Samson and Suryakumar Yadav in the triumph. "When the team won the World Cup, all the credit went to Gambhir. But if Sanju Samson hadn't been there, Suryakumar Yadav hadn't captained, and the bowling changes hadn't been made at the right time, would we have won the match?" he questioned.

Since taking over from Rahul Dravid, Gambhir has experienced a mix of outcomes with the Indian team. While the squad has thrived in white-ball formats, securing titles like the T20 World Cup, ICC Champions Trophy, and Asia Cup, recent failures in the longer format have raised concerns about the team's direction in Test cricket.