The IPL’s done and dusted for 2026, and now international cricket takes the spotlight, starting with the Afghanistan series. India comes in riding high—they’re already a powerhouse in white-ball cricket under Gautam Gambhir. Champions Trophy? They’ve got it. T20 World Cup? That one too. Next up: the 2027 ODI World Cup, and, honestly, they’re the favorites.
But let’s say India needs a new T20 coach. Who fits the bill? Sanjay Manjrekar doesn’t hesitate—he points straight at Ashish Nehra. And you get why. Nehra’s an unusual figure in the IPL: an Indian head coach leading Gujarat Titans, a team that’s become a quiet juggernaut since 2022. In just a handful of years, GT has already lifted the trophy, reached two more finals, and made the playoffs another time. Nehra has called the shots since day one.
Manjrekar put it simply on Sportstar: “Ashish Nehra is your hard-core, street-smart cricketer. Talk cricket with him, and he won’t get carried away or emotional. He zeroes in on what the team needs to fix.” He likes that Nehra stays clinical—sharp with his game reading, not distracted by off-field drama, and not afraid to speak his mind. That kind of authenticity? Players notice it. “Not too much sophistication,” Manjrekar said, meaning Nehra keeps things real.
He also admires how Nehra handles success—never looking for the limelight, just doing his job and clearly enjoying himself.
So for Manjrekar, Nehra isn’t just a good option—he’s the ideal pick if India wants a results-driven T20 coach. “He’s got an amazing record,” Manjrekar says. “He’s a bit different, and the players have to embrace that about him as head coach.”
One thing Manjrekar’s firm about: don’t slot Nehra in as just a bowling coach. If the guy’s steered a team to so much success, he deserves the full head coach role.
