As Gautam Gambhir begins Team India’s season, Sanjay Manrekar’s ‘Correlation of Coaches’ post attracts Flak

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has triggered a debate on social media with his strange comments about the Indian team’s coaches. As Gautam Gambhir prepares to begin his tenure as coach of the Indian men’s national team, Manjrekar suggested that there is no “direct correlation” between coaches and the World Cup-winning team. Manjrekar instead suggested that it is all about Indian cricket and the way it works, which suggests how successful a team is or is not.

India first won the ODI World Cup in 1983 when the team did not have a designated coach. Then came an incredibly successful stint in 2007 and 2011 where MS Dhoni led the team, although the coaches were different on both occasions.

Under Dravid’s guidance, India won the 2024 T20 World Cup title in Barbados and ended their 11-year ICC title drought. India have also come close on two previous occasions when they lost in the World Test Championship final and the ODI World Cup final against Australia last year.

While Gambhir looks to prepare a team that can challenge other top teams in the world in the ICC Champions Trophy (2025), ICC World Test Championship final (2025) and the 2027 ODI World Cup, Manjrekar wants to focus on the players and not the coach .

“No coach, Lalchand Rajput, Gary Kirsten and Dravid. Coaches when India won WCs in 1983, 2007, 2011 and 2023. It’s really about Indian cricket, not about who the coach is. It’s time we stop thinking there is a correlation direct,” Manjrekar wrote in X.

No coach, Lalchand Rajput, Gary Kirsten and Dravid. Coaches when India won WCs in 1983, 2007, 2011 and 2023.
In fact, what matters is Indian cricket, not who the coach is. It’s time we stop thinking there is a direct correlation.

-Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) July 27, 2024

Many fans took to social media to criticize Manjrekar on the post, especially considering the timing.

Gambhir’s first coaching assignment will begin in Sri Lanka later in the day when Suryakumar Yadav-led India take on the hosts in the first T20I of the three-match series at Pallekele.

With IANS inputs