![\"'Gautam](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-130275693,imgsize-34896,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/mnb-16.jpg\" "\\"Munaf")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nFormer Indian cricketer Munaf Patel<\/a> has backed men’s cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir<\/a>, saying that if he is removed from his position as the head coach, it will become tough to handle players, adding that many people don\u2019t like Gambhir because he is a genuine person.\u201cJust remember this, if a head coach like Gautam Gambhir is removed, then handling the players will become very difficult. He is a genuine person; he calls the truth as it is and many people don\u2019t like that,” Munaf said while speaking on TOI Sports’ Bombay Sport Exchange Podcast. Gambhir has won three major titles \u2014 the Champions Trophy, Asia Cup and T20 World Cup \u2014 during his tenure so far. However, India\u2019s results in Test cricket during his tenure have led to criticism and questions over his position. <\/p>\n Watch<\/span><\/p>\n Bombay Sport Exchange: Munaf Patel on Indian bowling, Virat vs Bumrah, Gautam Gambhir<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n However, Munaf, who was part of India\u2019s 2011 World Cup-winning team, said Gambhir\u2019s presence is important in maintaining control within the team.“Gambhir is the only one who\u2019s handling the players today. Other than him, the players won\u2019t be handled by other coaches. Because he’s still feared \u2014 because he loves cricket, not money. You will never see him fighting for money. He doesn\u2019t even need money, nor has he ever been like that,” said Munaf on TOI Sports’ Bombay Sport Exchange Podcast.“I am saying, Gambhir is a true human being. He speaks the truth. Many people don\u2019t like it because he speaks on the face. He doesn\u2019t have any betrayal in his mind.”Senior players like Virat Kohli<\/a> and Rohit Sharma have been key figures in world cricket for over a decade, having been coached earlier under coaches Ravi Shastri and Rahul Dravid.Gambhir took charge in July 2024 at a time when the team was entering a transition phase. More than a year into his tenure, concerns over performances in Test cricket led to discussions around the future of Kohli and Rohit in the format and both retired from Tests after India lost the Border-Gavaskar series in 2024-25.Patel said Gambhir has the “guts” to drop players. “If Gambhir leaves after three years, then you will see things become more scattered. Because he can keep control. Absolutely\u2014he has a complete controlling system. And everyone knows that if anything goes wrong, he has the guts to drop players,” Munaf further said.The former India bowler even said that a coach “shouldn\u2019t be a friend.” “The coach should have control. He can\u2019t be a friend. If he is, then you are spoiling the system. There should be fear,” Patel added while talking on TOI Sports’ Bombay Sport Exchange Podcast.“Think about it\u2014how many enemies Gautam Gambhir is making while doing this job. In commentary panel, 8 out of 10 people are against him. 4 out of 5 selectors will be against him. But still, he does his work, Munaf Patel added. <\/div>\n\n