Gautam Gambhir's stint as India's coach marked by controversial strategies persists
Gautam Gambhir, the head coach of the Indian men's cricket team, has had a tenure marked by strong success in white-ball formats but notable struggles in Test cricket.
In the T20 International (T20I) arena, Gambhir has led India to impressive victories. The team secured a dominant 4-0 series win over South Africa and emerged victorious in the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup, winning 13 out of 15 matches so far. This impressive win percentage of around 72% reflects Gambhir's ability to build a fearless and aggressive white-ball unit, even after the retirement of senior stars like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
In One Day Internationals (ODIs), Gambhir's start was shaky. India lost the bilateral series 2-0 to Sri Lanka initially. However, the team quickly recovered to string together eight consecutive wins and won the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, marking a significant achievement in his coaching tenure.
However, in the Test format, the results have been disappointing. India suffered a historic home Test series whitewash to New Zealand, their first in 24 years, and lost a Test series to Australia that ended their hopes of qualifying for the World Test Championship 2025 final. Under Gambhir, India's Test record stands at 4 wins, 8 losses, and 1 draw in 13 matches, and the team's ICC Test ranking has dropped from No. 1 to No. 4.
Gambhir's test team selections, particularly a preference for all-rounders over specialists, have been criticized. Some former players and analysts have pointed out his defensive approach and inconsistent backing of key players in tests.
Despite these concerns, Gambhir has instilled aggression and tactical sharpness in India’s white-ball teams, leading to important trophies. However, his Test coaching record has raised questions due to poor results and team selection controversies.
| Format | Matches Coached | Wins | Losses | Draws | Key Achievements | |--------|----------------|-------|----------|--------|------------------| | Test | 13 | 4 | 8 | 1 | Struggled, ranking dropped from #1 to #4 | | ODI | - | Strong recovery after initial loss, Champions Trophy 2025 winners | - | - | ICC Champions Trophy 2025 win | | T20I | 15 | 13 | 2 | - | 2024 ICC T20 World Cup winners, dominant performance |
As Gambhir's contract with the Indian team runs until the 2027 ODI World Cup, the truest test of his credentials remains in the longest format, where India have struggled tactically. The coach's main task will be to avoid a repeat of the New Zealand series and establish a pecking order of quicks in Test cricket.
[1] India Today
[2] ESPN Cricinfo
[3] Cricbuzz
[4] The Indian Express
[5] The Times of India
In the realm of white-ball formats, such as T20 International (T20I) and One Day Internationals (ODIs), Gambhir's impact as a coach has been significant. The Indian team has emerged victorious in important tournaments like the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, showcasing the coach's ability to lead successful domestic cricket teams in sports. However, in Test cricket, the results have been less impressive, with questions being raised about his coaching approach and team selections.
