Sanjay Manjrekar bluntly took a dig at Gautam Gambhir and emphasised that the success of the Indian cricket team in ICC events was not significantly influenced by the coach.
Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has opined that the identity of the coach does not significantly impact a team’s success at ICC events. His remarks came as Team India prepares to play under the guidance of new coach Gautam Gambhir for the first time on July 27th.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Sanjay Manjrekar emphasised the importance of Indian cricket over the role of the coach. He stated, “No coach, Lalchand Rajput, Gary Kirsten, or Dravid. Coaches when India won WCs in 1983, 2007, 2011, and 2023. It’s really about Indian cricket, not who the coach is. Time we stop thinking there is a direct correlation.”
Manjrekar highlighted the importance of focusing on the Indian cricket team’s collective strength rather than emphasising the role of the coach. He points out that out of the four times India has won the World Cup, only twice have they had specialised and dedicated coaches. Therefore, according to Manjrekar, it is crucial to concentrate on the team’s overall performance rather than directing all attention towards newly-appointed coach Gautam Gambhir.
Gambhir was appointed head coach of Team India earlier this month, succeeding his former teammate Rahul Dravid. Before this role, Gambhir mentored the Kolkata Knight Riders to victory in the 2024 IPL season. He also previously mentored the Lucknow Super Giants, leading them to two consecutive playoff appearances.
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In another development, Rahul Dravid recently extended his best wishes to Gambhir, offering advice for his new role. In a video shared by the BCCI, Dravid said, “Hello, Gautam, and welcome to the most exciting job in our world as coach of the Indian cricket team… I also wish you a little bit of luck. As you know, all of us coaches need to make us look a little bit wiser and smarter than we actually are.”
Dravid also praised Gambhir’s dedication and resilience, recalling their time as teammates. “As your teammate, I saw you giving it your all on the field. As your batting partner and fellow fielder, I saw your resilience and your refusal to surrender. Across many IPL seasons, I have noted your desire to win, your assistance in working with younger players, and your drive to extract the best out of your team on the field,” Dravid concluded.
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Last Updated on July 27, 2024
