Monty Panesar Proposes Splitting Coaching Roles: VVS Laxman for Tests, Gambhir for White-Ball Cricket
Debate Surrounds Gautam Gambhir’s Tenure as India’s Test Coach
The cricketing world is abuzz with discussions regarding Gautam Gambhir’s performance as India’s Test coach. With a disappointing record of just three wins in ten Test matches, the pressure is mounting. Monty Panesar, the former England spinner, has proposed a significant change: splitting the coaching roles between Test and limited-overs formats. He suggests that VVS Laxman could take over as the Test coach, allowing Gambhir to focus on white-ball cricket where he has had more success.
Gambhir’s tenure began last July, replacing Rahul Dravid, but it has been marred by setbacks. Notably, India faced a historic home whitewash against New Zealand and later lost a series to Australia, marking their first defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in a decade. While his leadership saw India undefeated in T20Is, the struggles in ODIs and Tests raise questions about his suitability for the longer format.
According to Panesar, Gambhir’s past as a teammate of many current players may complicate his coaching dynamic, potentially hindering respect and authority. He emphasized that coaching demands a different mindset, especially when transitioning from a player to a coach.
Panesar believes that bringing in an iconic figure like Laxman could command the respect needed to guide the team effectively. Laxman’s experience, having toured as an interim coach and his current role as Head of Cricket at the BCCI’s National Cricket Academy, positions him as a strong candidate.
As India prepares for a challenging five-Test tour in England next June, the debate about Gambhir’s future and the potential reshaping of coaching roles continues to unfold. The cricketing fraternity eagerly awaits the BCCI’s next move.
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