NEW DELHI: Former India cricketers Mohammed Kaif and Zaheer Khan have offered contrasting assessments of Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as head coach of the Indian cricket team, with communication and transparency emerging as the biggest areas of debate.

Gambhir took charge as India’s head coach in July 2024 and has experienced both major successes and setbacks during his time in the role. Under his leadership, India won the Champions Trophy 2025, the T20 World Cup 2026 and the Asia Cup 2025, but the team has also faced difficult moments across formats.

While Kaif gave Gambhir a rating of 4 out of 10, criticising the lack of clarity in communication with senior players, Zaheer acknowledged the achievements under Gambhir but felt there was room for improvement, rating him 6 out of 10.

Kaif questions communication and transparency

Speaking on Cricbuzz, Mohammed Kaif expressed concerns over Gambhir’s handling of team communication, especially regarding senior players and selection decisions.

Kaif said that while victories and defeats are part of sport, maintaining clear communication between the coach and players is essential for a successful team environment.

“I will deduct marks. I will rate him 4 out of 10,” Kaif said.

He highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the relationship between Gambhir and star batter Virat Kohli as one of the key issues. According to Kaif, the coach must ensure that all players remain on the same page, particularly when dealing with experienced members of the squad.

“There are a lot of talks about Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir. That picture is not becoming clear. It’s not clear whether they are talking or not,” Kaif said.

The former India batter added that a coach’s responsibility extends beyond tactics and strategy. He believes managing player relationships and ensuring transparency in decision-making are equally important.

“If one player is dropped, the reason behind it should be clear. If Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir are not working together, this is not good news for us,” he added.

Kaif also compared Gambhir’s approach with former India coach John Wright, praising Wright’s communication style during his time with the team.

He stressed that India will need the support of senior players as they prepare for future challenges, including the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Zaheer highlights Gambhir’s achievements

Unlike Kaif, Zaheer Khan focused on the positive results achieved during Gambhir’s tenure.

The former India fast bowler acknowledged that Gambhir has delivered major trophies since taking charge and said those achievements must be considered while evaluating his performance.

“Under his leadership, we have won the T20 World Cup. His highs are also there. I will give him 6,” Zaheer said.

However, Zaheer agreed that communication and transparency remain areas where the Indian team management can improve.

“As far as improvement, transparency and communication are concerned, it is a work in progress. You can call it a concern,” he added.

According to Zaheer, India possess enormous talent and resources, but the challenge lies in managing those strengths effectively.

“Whenever you talk about Indian cricket, one thing you will see is talent and ability. You have all the ingredients. How to use them and make the best out of them is up to you,” he said.

Gambhir’s tenure filled with highs and challenges

Gambhir’s period as India coach has been marked by significant achievements. Winning major ICC tournaments such as the Champions Trophy and T20 World Cup has strengthened his record.

However, the team has also faced criticism after disappointing Test performances. India suffered home Test series defeats against New Zealand and South Africa and also lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.

The period also witnessed the retirement of two Indian cricket icons, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, from Test cricket. Managing the transition from an experienced generation to a younger group has become one of Gambhir’s biggest challenges.

In T20 cricket, India suffered consecutive series defeats against Ireland and England, raising questions about team combinations and player performances.

The results have increased scrutiny on Gambhir’s coaching methods and decision-making.

Kohli-Gambhir relationship remains under discussion

Recent reports have suggested that Gambhir and Kohli were not interacting extensively ahead of India’s ODI series against England, despite the coach maintaining regular communication with other members of the squad.

The relationship between the two has been a major talking point because of their previous on-field rivalry in the Indian Premier League. However, both have previously shown professionalism while representing India.

As India continue their preparation for future tournaments, maintaining harmony between the coaching staff and senior players will be crucial.

Gambhir’s tenure has produced historic victories but has also exposed areas requiring improvement. While Kaif believes communication issues have affected his rating, Zaheer feels the achievements provide a stronger foundation.

The coming months will determine whether Gambhir can address these concerns and build a balanced Indian team capable of maintaining success across all formats.