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Captains are often the most remembered figures in cricket. While coaches play a crucial role in shaping the team’s strategy and individual performances, it’s the captains who tend to be the faces of the team and the ones who make the critical on-field decisions that often define a team’s legacy. The reason captains are so prominent in people’s memories is that they are in the spotlight during key moments, such as leading the team in high-pressure situations, making tactical decisions, embodying the team’s spirit and winning trophies.
From cricketing icons like Kapil Dev, Imran Khan, Ricky Ponting, Sourav Ganguly and MS Dhoni, to modern-day leaders like Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson, these captains have left lasting marks not just because of their leadership, but because of the stories they created. Coaches, while immensely important in a team’s preparation and development, usually stay in the background. They work on refining technique, formulating strategies, and providing mentorship.
However, they don’t have the same visibility during actual gameplay, where captains are often the ones facing the media and taking the public’s attention. It’s a little like how we remember the figures at the top of any organisation — the CEOs or leaders — more vividly than the behind-the-scenes strategists, even though the latter’s input is just as vital.
The role of a coach in cricket, and specifically about Gambhir’s ambitions to take over a team like he did with an IPL side despite not having been a full-time captain isn’t quite the right way to manage things. It’s true that the role of a coach has evolved, but it still differs significantly from that of a captain.
A coach is more about strategy, player development, and maintaining team morale, while the captain is responsible for on-field decision-making. The post-2011 period for India, especially after their World Cup win, was a transitional phase. The team faced various challenges, including fatigue and injuries. The 2011 World Cup win was an emotional high, and the subsequent dip in performance in England thereafter was partly due to the natural cycle of teams, where players grow older and new ones need to step up.
As for any coaching stint, while respect for his cricketing acumen and leadership qualities will always be there, but coaching isn’t just about cricketing skills—it also requires a deep understanding of management, motivation, and adapting to modern-day challenges. So, why did the performance of the Indian team dipp the moment former Indian captain Rahul Dravid left the job for Gambhir?
Blaming Gambhir or any new coach for the team’s poor form could oversimplify the complexities involved in international cricket. A coaching change doesn’t guarantee immediate success, as a coach’s influence on the field isn’t always direct or instant. The dynamics of a cricket team involve many factors, including player form, injuries, team balance, and opposition strength. So, while it’s tempting to question a new coach’s methods, the reality of international sport is far more nuanced.
The journey of rebuilding and finding success often involves ups and downs before a team finds its rhythm. But the most important challenge for India right now is to find a new leader. The leader who will take India into the next cycle in all the formats. It’s can’t be a short-term goal anymore. It can’t be a Gambhir. It has to be another Rohit Sharma. Because the current captain is past his sale by date. India’s leadership issue is not just about finding a new face; it’s about identifying someone who can maintain consistency across all formats — Test, ODI, and T20.
Ideally, this leader should be someone who can inspire the team, guide them through tough phases, and adapt to the demands of modern cricket. Players like KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, or Shubman Gill could be potential candidates. These players represent the future of Indian cricket and could provide the leadership stability required for the next cycle. The question is whether the Indian cricket board will take the plunge or not? Leaving it for Gambhir to become a non-playing captain won’t take India far!
