Legendary Indian cricketer Kapil Dev has shared his views on the role of the head coach in modern cricket, amid the heat that current head coach Gautam Gambhir is facing after the team’s home defeat in Test cricket.
Recently India lost another home Test series and this time South Africa won the historic Test series 2-0 on Indian soil. This was India’s second defeat at home during Gautam Gambhir’s tenure after the 3-0 defeat at the hands of New Zealand last year.
Kapil Dev raised questions on Gautam Gambhir’s coaching methods!!
Well, India’s first World Cup-winning captain Kapil feels that the word “coach” is often misunderstood in the modern era. He pointed out that international cricketers do not need to be taught the basics like young players in school or college, as the players already know their skills and role well at that level.
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He said that the players need someone who can handle the team environment, understand the emotions of the players and keep everyone reassured. The former Indian all-rounder believes that the job of a modern head coach is exactly like that of a team manager. He made these comments during a discussion at the Indian Chamber of Commerce ICC Centenary Session.
“Today that word is called coach… ‘Coach’ is a very common word today. Gautam Gambhir cannot be a coach. He can be a team manager. When you say “coach”, coach is where I learned in school and college. Those were the people, my coaches. They could manage me,” Kapil Dev was quoted as saying at the event by PTI.
How can Gautam Gambhir coach a leg spinner: Kapil Dev
Taking a sarcastic dig at Gambhir, the great all-rounder believes that the former Indian batsman cannot teach bowling to an expert leg spinner, adding that the main responsibility of a head coach is to manage the players and not train them technically. He said the manager’s role is to make players feel comfortable, supported and trusted, even when things are not going well.
The former Indian captain further explained, “How can you be a coach when they have named anyone, let’s say, a leg spinner? How can Gautam be the coach of a leg spinner or a wicketkeeper? I think you have to manage. It is more important.”
As a manager, you encourage them to say, “You can do this,” because when you become a manager, young guys look up to you. How can my manager or captain give me that facility? That’s the job of the manager and the captain – to console the team and always say, ‘You can do better.’ “That’s how I see it.”
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Kapil Dev shares key leadership lessons
In a direct message to Gautam Gambhir, Kapil Dev explained that leadership means creating an environment where players feel free and positive, as there are reports of rift in the dressing room.
The great all-rounder suggested that modern-day captains and coaches should spend more time with players who are performing poorly than someone who is performing well and give them confidence and help them regain confidence.
The Indian legend signed off by saying, “So, I think it is very important as a captain that your role is not only about your performance but also about keeping the team together.”
