Legendary cricketer Kapil Dev has sparked a fresh debate around the role of a modern head coach, suggesting that Gautam Gambhir's primary function for the Indian cricket team is that of a manager rather than a traditional coach. This comes at a time when Gambhir is facing scrutiny following India's recent Test series defeat.
Pressure Mounts After Consecutive Home Defeats
The comments from India's first World Cup-winning captain arrive as head coach Gautam Gambhir finds himself under significant pressure. The criticism stems from India's 0-2 loss to South Africa in a home Test series in November 2025. This marked the team's second whitewash in a home series within a year, following a 0-3 defeat to New Zealand in 2024.
Kapil Dev elaborated on his viewpoint during a session at the Indian Chamber of Commerce ICC Centenary event. He argued that the term 'coach' has evolved and its contemporary application in elite cricket is more aligned with management.
The Manager vs. Coach Philosophy
"Today that word called a coach… 'coach' is a very common word today. Gautam Gambhir can’t be a coach. He can be a manager of the team," Kapil Dev stated. He drew a distinction with his own learning days, noting that real coaches were those who taught him in school and college.
He posed a practical question to underline his point: "How can you be a coach when they have given a name to, let’s say, a leg spinner? How can Gautam be a coach to a leg spinner or to the wicket-keeper?" According to Kapil, the crucial role at the international level is to manage, encourage, and provide comfort to players who are already highly skilled.
"I think you have to manage. That’s more important. As a manager you give them encouragement... the young boys look up to you. How can my manager or captain give me that comfort? That’s what the manager and captain’s job is — to give comfort to the team and always say 'you can do better'," he added.
Kapil's Captaincy Mantra: Backing the Strugglers
Further explaining the managerial mindset, Kapil Dev shared his personal philosophy from his captaincy days. He emphasized the importance of supporting players during a rough patch rather than only celebrating those in form.
"I think you have to give comfort to the people who are not playing well. If somebody made a hundred I don’t want to have a drink and dinner with him," Kapil said candidly. "As a captain I would like to have a drink with people or I like to have a dinner with people who are not performing. You need to give them the confidence... So I think it’s very important as a captain and your role is not only your performance, it is also about putting the team together."
This insight from one of India's greatest cricketers reframes the expectations from a head coach in the current era, highlighting man-management and psychological support as core responsibilities over technical tutoring. The discussion puts a spotlight on the challenges facing Gambhir as he navigates his tenure amidst high expectations and recent setbacks.
