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Erik Spoelstra supports no further penalties for LaMelo Ball after flagrant foul.
Munaf Patel has defended Gautam Gambhir, India's men's cricket team head coach, stating his removal would complicate player management. Patel emphasized Gambhir's genuine nature and the challenges faced due to criticism over recent Test results.
Former Indian cricketer Munaf Patel has backed men's cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir, saying that if he is removed from his position as the head coach, it will become tough to handle players, adding that many people donât like Gambhir because he is a genuine person.
âJust 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 donât like that," Munaf said while speaking on TOI Sports' Bombay Sport Exchange Podcast.
Gambhir has won three major titles â the Champions Trophy, Asia Cup and T20 World Cup â during his tenure so far. However, Indiaâs results in Test cricket during his tenure have led to criticism and questions over his position.
However, Munaf, who was part of Indiaâs 2011 World Cup-winning team, said Gambhirâs presence is important in maintaining control within the team.
"Gambhir is the only one whoâs handling the players today. Other than him, the players wonât be handled by other coaches. Because he's still feared â because he loves cricket, not money. You will never see him fighting for money. He doesnât 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 donât like it because he speaks on the face. He doesnât have any betrayal in his mind."
Senior players like Virat Kohli 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. Absolutelyâhe 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 "shouldnât be a friend." "The coach should have control. He canât 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.
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"Think about itâhow 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.
Munaf Patel defends Gautam Gambhir because he believes his removal would make it difficult to manage the players, citing Gambhir's genuine personality as a key asset.
Gautam Gambhir has won three major titles as head coach: the Champions Trophy, Asia Cup, and T20 World Cup.
Gautam Gambhir has faced criticism primarily due to India's performance in Test cricket, leading to questions about his position as head coach.

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