Demand to make Ashish Nehra the head coach after the show in IPL 2026, Sanjay Manjrekar’s big statement

Delhi: Gujarat Titans (GT) may have missed out on winning the IPL 2026 title, but the team’s head coach Ashish Nehra is happy with his coaching. Meanwhile, former Indian batsman and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has given a big statement regarding Nehra. He believes that whenever the Indian team needs a new head coach for white-ball cricket in the future, BCCI should seriously consider the name of Ashish Nehra.

Let us tell you that former left-arm fast bowler Nehra is the head coach of GT from IPL 2022. During his tenure, the team has become champion once, reached the finals twice and made it to the playoffs four times. In the last 5 seasons, 2024 was the only year when Gujarat missed a place in the playoffs.

‘If India needs a coach then Nehra is the strongest contender’

During a conversation on Sportstar’s ‘Insight Edge’ podcast, Manjrekar said that Nehra has consistently given great results in franchise cricket and his cricketing understanding makes him different from other coaches.

Manjrekar said in this context, ‘If India needs a new head coach for white-ball cricket in the future, then Nehra’s name should be at the forefront. His record is excellent. He is a very intelligent cricketer.

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He further said that instead of emotions, Nehra focuses on the weaknesses and problems of the team and tries to improve them. His understanding of the game is amazing.

There is special respect among the players also

Manjrekar believes that Nehra’s biggest strength is his honesty and simplicity. He stays away from politics and focuses only on the performance of the team.

He said that Nehra does not do politics to please anyone or strengthen his position. Players also see this quality in him. This is the reason why he gets respect from the players.

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‘Nehra avoids even taking credit for success’

The former Indian batsman said that another specialty of Nehra is that he does not try to take full credit for the team’s success.

Former Indian cricketer Manjrekar further said that his success as a coach has not changed him. He prefers to work behind the scenes rather than being in the limelight. He works hard and keeps the success of the team above all else.

Becoming a head coach should be the next step

Manjrekar clearly said that if Nehra joins the Indian team in future, he should not be given the role of bowling coach or advisor, but should directly get the responsibility of head coach.

He said that when a coach has achieved consistent success under different captains, then he should be seen only as a head coach. I don’t think it would be right to bring Nehra as bowling coach or in any other role.

At present, Gautam Gambhir is the head coach of the Indian team and his tenure is till 2027 ODI World Cup. However, Manjrekar believes that whenever there is a search for a new coach in the future, Ashish Nehra will be one of the strongest contenders for that post.