India’s Test team is currently navigating a challenging period. Consistent losses have not only disappointed fans but have also raised questions about the team’s stability and confidence in the red-ball format.
Sports News: When Gautam Gambhir was officially appointed as India’s cricket coach in June 2024, there was a renewed sense of hope. Rahul Dravid’s tenure ended after the 2024 T20 World Cup, and Gambhir was tasked with steering the team in all three formats. However, approximately a year later, particularly in Test cricket, questions are being raised about Team India’s performance.
Under Gambhir’s coaching, India has played 11 Test matches, resulting in seven losses, three wins, and one draw. This statistic is a cause for concern for a team like India, a Test cricket powerhouse. Let’s delve deeper into why Gambhir’s strategy hasn’t been effective in the red-ball format.
Balanced Success in T20 and ODI, but Sluggish Performance in Test Cricket
In all, India has played 30 matches under Gambhir’s leadership across the three formats – 18 wins, 10 losses, one draw, and one tie. India has demonstrated relative success in the ODI and T20 formats, winning series against England and Bangladesh and successfully completing the 2025 Champions Trophy.
However, when it comes to Test cricket, doubts have arisen regarding Gambhir’s strategy and selections. While India defeated Bangladesh at home 2-0 under his tenure, they subsequently lost series 0-3 to New Zealand and 1-3 to Australia, currently trailing 0-1 in the series against England.
Series Played Under Gambhir’s Coaching
| Series | Matches | Winner | Result |
| India vs Sri Lanka (ODI) | 3 | Sri Lanka | 0-2 |
| India vs Bangladesh (Test) | 2 | India | 2-0 |
| India vs Bangladesh (T20) | 3 | India | 3-0 |
| India vs New Zealand (Test) | 3 | New Zealand | 0-3 |
| India vs Australia (Test) | 5 | Australia | 1-3 |
| India vs England (T20) | 5 | India | 4-1 |
| India vs England (ODI) | 3 | India | 3-0 |
| Champions Trophy (ODI) | 5 | India | Champion |
| India vs England (Test)* | 5 | ?? | 0-1* |
The Impact of Rohit and Virat’s Retirements
Following the Australia tour, two prominent batsmen, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, unexpectedly announced their retirement from Test cricket. Rumors of internal conflicts and disagreements regarding strategy within the coaching team began to circulate. At this time, Gambhir’s test of young players began. While opportunities were given to new faces like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Ruturaj Gaikwad, along with Rajat Patidar, the lack of experience and strategic flexibility led to the team being on the back foot.
Gambhir’s Demands and Questions Raised About Support Staff
Before being appointed coach, Gautam Gambhir had made it clear to the BCCI that he needed the freedom to select his support staff. This included appointing Abhishek Nayar and Ryan Ten Doeschate and bringing in Zaheer Khan as bowling coach, alongside Morne Morille.
However, the bowling department struggled alongside Jasprit Bumrah, with spinners and the middle order failing against New Zealand and Australia. Abhishek Nayar was removed after the whitewash against New Zealand, but performance didn’t improve significantly.
A Long List of Unwanted Records
Under Gambhir’s coaching, India has created several records that contradict the team’s golden history:
- India has lost a Test match for the first time in 148 years of Test history, despite scoring five centuries in a single Test.
- India’s first Test defeat to New Zealand in 36 years at home.
- India’s first defeat at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru in 19 years.
- The first time India has been bowled out for 46 runs (the lowest score) in a home Test match.
- India’s first clean sweep in a multi-match Test series at home in 91 years.
- India lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after 10 years.
- India has lost back-to-back Test series for the first time in 10 years.
Will BCCI Consider a Split Coaching Arrangement?
The BCCI has not yet adopted a policy of separate coaches for different formats. However, with the continued losses and declining performance in Test cricket, questions are being raised. While Gambhir has been successful in the limited-overs format, stability, patience, and strategic changes are needed in Test cricket – something that hasn’t been evident in his coaching so far.
Many senior cricketers and analysts believe that if India loses the Test series against England as well, the BCCI will need to take drastic steps. It’s possible that discussions about appointing a separate coach for Test cricket will intensify.
