Monty Panesar suggests GautamGambhir to coach the Ranji Trophy

Panesar suggested that Gambhir coach the Ranji Trophy team to understand better the demands of managing a red-ball team.

There have been reports of the BCCI approaching India’s great VVS Laxman to take over as the senior men’s Test coach, following India’s second home series whitewash in 12 months under GautamGambhir. Amid these reports, former England cricketer Monty Panesar suggested that Gambhir should coach a Ranji Trophy side to understand better the demands of managing a red-ball team.

Monty Panesar suggests that Gambhir coach the Ranji Trophy.

Speaking to ANI, Panesar said Gambhir has proven himself as a strong white-ball coach, having guided India to the Champions Trophy earlier this year and the men’s T20 Asia Cup in September. However, questioning his red-ball credentials, the former spinner added that Gambhir could take up a coaching role in Ranji Trophy cricket and interact with domestic coaches to learn how to build and manage a successful red-ball team.

“Right now, the Indian team is weak in Test cricket.”

The former England cricketer said, “GautamGambhir is a good coach in white-ball cricket because he has been successful. He could become the Ranji Trophy coach, and he should talk to the coaches who have coached in the Ranji Trophy about how you build a team in red ball cricket. Right now, the Indian team is weak in Test cricket. This is the reality. It’s not that strong. It will take time. When you retire three big players, it becomes difficult to keep the remaining players ready.” Earlier last week, a PTI reported that the BCCI had “informally approached” Laxman for Test coaching duties after India suffered a 0-2 whitewash against South Africa in November. This was the second time the Indian board had asked Laxman for the role, following an earlier approach after Rahul Dravid’s tenure ended last June.

BCCI secretary DevajitSaikia, however, refuted the rumours, saying that the board has not taken any steps regarding a change of leadership group in the longest format of the game. Speaking to ANI on Sunday, Saikia said, “This is totally incorrect news going on. This is totally speculative news. Some highly reputable news agencies are also reporting the news. There is no truth to it. BCCI straight away denies. People can think all they want, but BCCI has not taken any steps. This is somebody’s figment of imagination; there is no truth in it, and I cannot say anything except that this is factually incorrect and baseless news.”