Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir took over the handover from veteran cricketer Rahul Dravid aka ‘The Wall’ in July 2024. Starting from day one, he came with a clear mindset to break the superstar culture, high level professionalism, and bring back an aggressive, flexible brand of cricket. Gambhir promised edge, intensity, and ruthlessness and there is no doubt he delivered but almost everything in white-ball cricket format.
Indian team has won the two major ICC tournaments, 2025 Champions Trophy and the 2025 Asia Cup, under the guidance of former left handed batter Gautam Gambhir. Let it not be forgotten, let alone misunderstood that Gautam Gambhir is a two time World Cup winning member, known for his prowess for contributing to the T20 World Cup win in 2007 and the 2011 ODI World Cup win, both of which were laudable triumphs for Indian Cricket.
Moreover, in the wake of India’s ICC Champions Trophy triumph, Gambhir instantly started getting appreciations which strengthened his image as a short-format mastermind.
However, India’s home series losses on the bounce in a red ball format put a stain on his portfolio.
Barring the most recent ODI series triumph against the Proteas men’s side in which Virat Kohli unleashed himself over the visibly unsuspecting Proteas, India’s loss in the Test series at home has put a spot on Gautam Gambhir’s position as coach of the national Cricket team.
This team, it ought to be remembered, is still very much a topic of everyday discussion in India and a subject that enjoys humungous passion from all corners of the country, whether or not there is prosperity or joy there. But then cricket is the joy that turns bleak into optimism, right?
Having said that, here’s some context given the Test team’s history. Tthe Indian test team has maintained a handsome record of no home defeats in Tests since 2012 under the leadership of head coaches Rahul Dravid (winning around 58% of 24 Tests) and Ravi Shastri (also over 58% across 43 Tests), while Anil Kumble delivered an outstanding win rate of roughly 70% in his 17-Test stint.
For the team that prided itself on being nearly unbeatable at home, 2025 has been really disappointing as they faced whitewash against Kiwi’s and Proteas. Gambhir’s attacking style of cricket has done wonders for the Indian team in white-ball formats where risks are rewarded. But, Test cricket is a different ball game where aggression must be
intelligent, not impulsive. His demand on “flexibility” has sometimes got proved as inconsistency, especially in team selection.
Well, early signs are not good enough for Gambhir to continue as a head coach of the Indian team for a long period of time, especially in Test format.
The Gautam Gambhir-Parth Jindal Controversy: A Communication Red Flag
Delhi Capitals co-owner Parth Jindal criticised India’s Test performance, Gambhir didn’t take the criticism positively, instead responded sharply. He said “People should stay in their domain…
They have no right to interfere in what we do.”
Social media couldn’t digest the response as Gambhir himself often publicly critiqued players, coaches, commentators, or administrators. But when others criticised him, especially after clear Test failures, he dismissed all criticisms as invalid.
This weird behavior and arrogance is not acceptable at all in any sense, especially when you are representing the country.
Could a split coaching system work in the future if Gambhir struggles to lift the Test team in the few moths?
The BCCI publicly backs Gambhir and feels the current failures in Test format are part of long- term restructuring. However, there will be a huge pressure in the dressing room. Red-ball performances in 2026 will be really crucial for GG and might decide how secure Gambhir’s role truly is.
Gambhir himself dismissed the idea of split coaching but few cricket boards have already tasted success with the same approach. A red-ball specialist coach like veteran VVS Laxman can definitely help balance aggression with strategic calm, two elements the Indian test team desperately needs in the longest format.
No doubt Gautam Gambhir is a strong, successful, and uncompromising leader.
His white-ball record is outstanding.
But Test cricket has been exposed since he took over the handover and has created a huge gap between his coaching style and what the format actually demands.
If he can work on tactical planning, communication, selection consistency, and ability to handle critique, India’s Test cricket revival may stall. India doesn’t just need a coach who wins trophies.They need a leader who understands the soul of Test cricket.
Whether Gambhir becomes that leader remains an open question, one that the next few months will answer decisively.
