‘Coach badlo, India need a mentor like MS Dhoni’:Sreesanth takes dig at Gautam Gambhir, challenges Harbhajan Singh to in-ring fight

S Sreesanth has taken a dig at head coach Gautam Gambhir. The former Indian cricketer’s comments came in light of his argument that Team India did not actually need a coach, but a mentor. Gambhir, despite his successes and failures, continues to remain with him, having a mixed CV thus far. While India have been an unstoppable force in white-ball cricket under him, winning the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy and 2026 T20 World Cup titles, the record in Tests have been dismal, with home series losses to New Zealand and South Africa. ‘Gauti kya bol rahe honge Virat ko?’ Speaking to Lallantop, the 2011 World Cup-winning cricketer gave an explanation of why an international cricket team does not need a coach but a mentor. “I am dead against coaching. Coaching is alright until you are still learning. You also learn from your seniors in the team. You need to have a mentor, a guide.” Sreesanth went on to clarify that he was not speaking against Gambhir. ” I am not speaking against Gauti or coaches. I am saying that you do not need a coach in an international team. We don’t need a coach for Indian cricket team,” he said. “Gauti kya bol rahe honge Virat ko?” (What would a Gambhir say to a Virat), Sreesanth asked on the show. It is to be noted that Sreesanth is not the first cricket figure who has made such a comment. Last year, India’s first World Cup-winning coach Kapil Dev had said that Gambhir was not a coach but a manager. “Gautam Gambhir can’t be a coach. He can be a manager of the team. How can Gautam be a coach to a leg spinner or to the wicket-keeper?” Dev had said. Sreesanth takes a dig at Gambhir, wants MS Dhoni’s role for India Sreesanth further did not name Gambhir but appeared to take a dig at him, accusing him of pressurising players. “We don’t need a coach who forces somebody to do something and if you don’t do it, you are removed,” he said. On the same note, Sreesanth brought in MS Dhoni’s reference and lauded the ex-captain’s man-management skills. “Mahi bhai won all his trophies (World Cup, Champions Trophy, Champions League, IPL) because of his mindset and trust in the players,” Sreesanth said. Elaborating on his point, the former pacer said that Dhoni knows how to bring out the best in the players, citing examples of Shivam Dube and Ajinkya Rahane. “If you need a mentor, have Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni). He is priceless. No other country will win even a single World Cup, such is the talent in Indian cricket,” Sreesanth explained. However, that wasn’t the end of his digs at Gambhir. Sreesanth further referred to Gambhir’s serious and fierce persona and said that it wasn’t ideal. “You have to be a brother first, bro. Sirf jeetne pe hasna, aur haarne pe gussa karna.” (Smile when the team wins and show anger when they lose). “I request the BCCI to appoint a coach instead of a mentor,” he said. Sreesanth challenges Harbhajan Singh to in-ring fight Sreesanth also opened up about the infamous slapgate controversy with Harbhajan Singh, which rocked the IPL in its very first season. During post-match customary handshakes, Harbhajan had slapped Sreesanth and, as a result, was banned for the remainder of the season. Sreesanth, who was Harbhajan’s teammate in India’s 2007 and 2011 World Cup-winning squads, challenged the former spinner to an in-ring fight. Yes, you read that right! Harbhajan later had apologized to Sreesanth and the two made amends. However, later Harbhajan appeared in an advertisement where he taught how to slap, in a playful reference to the slapgate controversy. “I genuinely don’t want to talk about him. I don’t how low a person can stoop. Ek ad ke liye you lose a brother?” he said. (How can you lose a brother for an ad?) Challenging Harbhajan to an in-ring fight, Sreesanth asked him, “Aap ke paas dum hai mere saath ring mein aane ka?” (Do you have the courage to come into the ring with me). “I challenge you Bhajji pa, if you have so many problems with the slapgate saga and are earning money, let me earn as well. Come into the ring. Please come, I am waiting,” he added. Sreesanth won two World Cups, was banned in 2013 for spot-fixing Sreesanth has won two World Cups for India. He was part of the Indian team that won the ODI World Cup in 2011 and the T20 World Cup in 2007. He has taken 87 wickets in 27 Test matches. He has also played 53 ODIs and T20 International matches. Sreesanth has 40 wickets in 44 IPL matches. In May 2013, he was accused of spot-fixing during the IPL. He was arrested by the Delhi Police. Subsequently, the BCCI banned him for life. However, Sreesanth fought a long battle against these allegations, and in 2015, a special court acquitted him of the charges. In 2018, the Kerala High Court lifted the lifetime ban imposed on him. However, in 2019, the Supreme Court upheld his offense. The court asked BCCI to reduce his sentence. Later, the board reduced the lifetime ban imposed on him to 7 years, which ended in September 2020. 3 years ago, the Kerala Police registered a case of fraud and cheating against him.