Sreesanth calls out Gautam Gambhir's coaching methods in blistering outburst: 'India needs a mentor like...'

Former India fast bowler S Sreesanth launched a piercing criticism of head coach Gautam Gambhir, calling out his coaching methods and rejecting the idea that the former opener played a key role in Team India's historic T20 World Cup title win earlier in the year.

Team India has enjoyed immense success in white-ball cricket under head coach Gautam Gambhir, winning the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025, the Asia Cup, and the T20 World Cup in 2026. Gambhir has been widely credited with the team’s recent WC triumph at home, but Sreesanth vehemently denied giving him any recognition.

Sreesanth criticises Gambhir's coaching approach

Speaking on The Lallantop's 'Guest in the Newsroom', Sreesanth exclaimed that players such as Sanju Samson and Suryakumar Yadav deserve the most acclaim for helping India become back-to-back champions and lift the silverware.

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"When the team won the World Cup, all the credit went to Gambhir. But if Sanju Samson hadn't been there, Suryakumar Yadav hadn't captained, and the bowling changes hadn't been made at the right time, would we have won the match?" Sreesanth said.

The 2007 T20 World Cup winner went on to downplay Gambhir's contributions as coach, implying that recognition should go to coaches like Ashish Nehra for their enhanced hands-on style.

"Was the coach making decisions on the field? It's fine if we have a coach like Ashish Nehra, who remains involved," he added.

"Team India needs a mentor like Dhoni"

Sreesanth went on to question Team India’s decline in Test cricket since Gambhir’s appointment, blaming the head coach for the struggles in the longest format and calling for a change, saying, "Change the coach, friend. India needs a mentor, not a coach."

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The former India bowler voiced displeasure over his coaching tactics, saying that he puts "too much pressure on the players." He contrasted his style with MS Dhoni, highlighting that he never put players "under pressure and dropped them if things didn't work out."

"Team India needs a mentor like Dhoni," Sreesanth added.

Team India witnessed a positive turnaround during the one-off Test match against Afghanistan. But the real challenge would be when they tour New Zealand for a two-match Test series, starting November 19, 2026, in Wellington.