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Former England player Monty Panesar believes that India’s one-coach-for-all format formula will not work with Gautam Gambhir after losing six Test matches as head coach. The Indian cricket team’s performance has been shaky since Gambhir replaced Rahul Dravid in July 2024.
They suffered their first ODI series loss to Sri Lanka since 1997 and were shocked 3-0 at home in the Test series by New Zealand. Adding to his woes, India lost the Test series 3-1 to Australia, losing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after ten years.
However, the Men in Blue are unbeaten in T20I cricket, winning all six matches under new coach Gambhir, but he is yet to win an ODI match and now all eyes are on the upcoming three-match ODI series against India at home. ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Monty Panesar demands Gautam Gambhir’s removal as India’s Test coach
Although Gambhir has worked successfully as a T20 mentor with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and defending IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). As captain, the former India batsman won two IPL titles and also played key roles in India’s T20 and ODI World Cup triumphs in 2007 and 2011.
But his Test numbers haven’t been great in Australia and England, and now India’s Test performance has highlighted his weakness in red-ball cricket, prompting many to suggest that the BCCI have separate coaches for the white-ball and Test teams.
Well, Monty Panesar supported the idea of having 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 pecking order of senior players, as he has played alongside them.
Do Indian players disrespect Gautam Gambhir?
Times of India quoted Monty Panesar: “I think so. I think it’s a good option. I think maybe the workload is too much for Gambhir… He has just become a coach. Sometimes it can be difficult for some of the older players who actually think, ‘Well, I was his teammate a few years ago; now he is telling us how to play cricket”. It can be difficult, that transition, and also his record (as a batsman) is not great either in Australia or in 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 outings at an average of 12.70. Such numbers do not suit the coach of the Test side and now the BCCI should hand over the role of Test coach to VVS Laxman, Panesar said.
India need a legend like VVS Laxman for Test team: Monty Panesar
The former England player said that Gambhir’s Test results are not that good and it poses a challenge for him to command respect in the Indian dressing room. He noted that legends like VVS Laxman, with proven success in all conditions, naturally command respect and authority.
Panesar further explained: “I think the selectors will be thinking, ‘Is Gambhir serious 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 Test coach)? Or bring him in as batting coach to help Gambhir. He is similar to Rahul Dravid. He was successful in all conditions. I think you need some kind of Indian legend, who has been very good in all conditions, to come in as a coach, because then you naturally command that respect.”
He concluded: “If Laxman tells you, ‘You’re not going to play the ball up while it’s swinging,’ you listen, don’t you?” But as for Gambhir, I’m not sure if they’re really taking him seriously or if they’re just saying, ‘Okay, yes, we’ll listen to him, but let’s play our natural game.’ “
