Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as India’s Test coach has faced criticism due to his limited coaching experience, inconsistent team strategy, and lack of tangible results. His inability to foster a strong team dynamic and implement effective game plans has raised doubts about his suitability for the role. The BCCI may need to consider a change for better performance.
Gautam Gambhir was appointed as Team India’s all-format head coach in July.
The excitement and high expectations surrounding Gautam Gambhir’s appointment as the Indian cricket team’s head coach in July have largely dissipated. What remains are growing frustrations and calls for bold decisions, including demands for his removal as Test coach.
Gambhir’s contract as India’s all-format coach is set to run until the 2027 ODI World Cup. However, if the team’s poor performance continues, it’s possible that he may either resign or be dismissed by the BCCI long before his contract expires.
Taking over from Rahul Dravid, who led India to the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 title and secured runners-up finishes in the ICC WTC 2021-23 and ICC World Cup 2023, Gambhir has faced a rough start. Under his leadership, India has suffered a series of setbacks: an ODI loss to Sri Lanka, a home Test series defeat to New Zealand, and a struggling performance in the ongoing BGT 2024-25. After leading 1-0 in Perth, India lost in Adelaide and is now trailing in Brisbane, with little hope of a turnaround in Australia.
With the WTC 2025 final seemingly out of reach, upcoming events like the Champions Trophy 2025 and the Test series in England could prove decisive in determining Gambhir’s future. For now, his tenure as Test coach remains under intense scrutiny.
3 Reasons why BCCI should sack Gautam Gambhir as India’s test coach:
No prior experience of coaching red-ball cricket
Gautam Gambhir was appointed as India’s head coach following his role in mentoring Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL 2024 title. However, it’s important to note that he served as the mentor, not the coach, with Gambhir having been a mentor in the IPL since 2022, including his stint with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), and never holding the coach’s role.
More significantly, Gambhir has never coached a top-level team in red-ball cricket. Appointing him as an all-format coach based on his white-ball credentials was a risk, and this decision now appears to be backfiring for the Indian team.
No accountability
Since the start of the Adelaide Test, Gautam Gambhir has not once addressed the media. Instead, the Indian team has sent captain Rohit Sharma, assistant coaches Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate, along with fast bowling coach Morne Morkel, to the press conferences.
Interestingly, even during India’s home Test series against New Zealand—where the team suffered a historic 3-0 whitewash—Gambhir was notably absent from the press room.
Curiously, the most memorable remark from Gambhir’s press conference following the series loss to New Zealand was his sharp response to Ricky Ponting.
Bizarre calls, strategies and decisions
The fact that Washington Sundar, R. Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja each played just one Test in the first three matches of the BGT 2024-25 highlights the perplexing inconsistency in team selection under coach Gautam Gambhir.
Adding to the confusion, some of captain Rohit Sharma’s decisions at the toss—likely influenced by Gambhir—have further questioned the coach’s ability to assess pitches and conditions in the longest format. Whether it was opting to bat first in overcast, damp conditions in Bengaluru against New Zealand or choosing to bowl first on the historically batting-friendly Gabba track, these choices have raised serious concerns about the team’s strategic planning.