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Monty Panesar feels India should split coaching duties with VVS Laxman taking over from Gautam Gambhir in the longer format.
VVS Laxman. (Picture Credit: AFP)
Former England spinner Monty Panesar feels India can have two separate coaches – one for one-day cricket and one for Test cricket – adding that Gautam Gambhir isn’t fit for both.
Gautam Gambhir took over the reigns of the Indian men’s cricket team back in July last year from Rahul Dravid, across all formats.
Gambhir’s tenure has not got off to the best of starts as India have won just three of his first 10 Tests in charge, losing six and drawing one. India also suffered a whitewash at home in a home series of at least three Tests, losing to New Zealand, followed by handing over the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a decade.
In limited overs cricket, Gambhir is so far unbeaten in T20Is – winning six games on the trot – while are yet to win an ODI – losing two and have tied a game against Sri Lanka.
When asked about India opting for two coaches for different formats, Panesar agrees.
“I think so. I think that’s a good option,” Panesar was quoted as saying by TOI.
“I think maybe the workload is too much for Gambhir…He’s just transitioned into a coach. Sometimes it can be difficult for some of the senior players who actually will be thinking, ‘Well, I was his teammate a few years ago, now he’s telling us how to play cricket’. It can be difficult, that transition, and also his record (as a batter) isn’t great in Australia or in England,” he added.
Panesar feels VVS Laxman will be a better fit for the longer format, compared to Gambhir.
“He (Gambhir) averages 23 in Australia. He doesn’t average well in England either. He didn’t play the moving ball very well,” said Panesar.
“I think the selectors will be thinking ‘is Gambhir taking it seriously as a coach, or should we get him to just focus on ODIs and T20Is, and maybe bring in someone like VVS Laxman, for example (as Test coach)?…Or bring him in as a batting coach to help Gambhir. He’s similar to Rahul Dravid. He’s been successful in all conditions. I think you need some sort of Indian legend, who has done really well in all conditions, to come in as a coach, because then you naturally command that respect,” he said.
“If Laxman tells ‘you are not going to play the ball on the up when it is swinging’, you listen, right? But with Gambhir, I’m not sure if they really take him seriously, or they’re just saying, ‘okay, yeah, we’ll listen to him, but we’re gonna go and play our natural game’,” Panesar added.
