Gautam Gambhir’s appointment as India’s head coach in July 2024 was met with optimism, given his success in white-ball cricket and IPL mentorship. However, his tenure in Test cricket has been nothing short of disappointing. With a dismal record of just five wins in 15 Tests, including humiliating home defeats and underwhelming overseas performances, it’s clear that Gambhir has struggled to adapt to the demands of the longest format. India suffered a 0-3 whitewash at home against New Zealand, lost 1-3 in Australia during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (with only one win and one draw), and managed a 2-2 draw in England in 2025 despite opportunities to clinch the series. These results highlight systemic issues in team selection, strategy, and player management under Gambhir. It’s time for the BCCI to acknowledge his failures in red-ball cricket and appoint a Test specialist coach who understands the nuances of the format.
Overreliance on Allrounders Dilutes Team Quality
One of Gambhir’s most glaring mistakes has been his preference for allrounders, often at the expense of specialist players. In Test cricket, where quality and endurance are paramount, “bits and pieces” players rarely deliver consistently. Gambhir’s teams have frequently featured multiple allrounders like Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Ravindra Jadeja, leading to imbalanced squads. For instance, during the England tour, Gambhir insisted on selecting Sundar over specialist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, a decision that drew sharp criticism for prioritizing versatility over match-winning ability. Former cricketers have pointed out that this approach compromises the team’s depth, as allrounders seldom excel in both disciplines overseas.
Playing Short on Bowlers: A Recipe for Draws, Not Wins
To win a Test match, a team needs to take 20 wickets, yet Gambhir’s selections often prioritize batting depth, leaving India one bowler short. This batting-heavy strategy has resulted in draws or losses when the attack falters. In Australia, the lack of bowling firepower was evident, with India unable to capitalize on promising positions. Critics have lambasted Gambhir for not focusing on a robust pace attack for challenging tours like Australia and England, where no net bowlers were taken along to prepare the squad adequately. The debut of Anshul Kamboj in the fourth Test against England exemplifies this shortsightedness—he was flown in from India without proper acclimatization or testing, struggled on debut due to a recent shin injury, and failed to make an impact, conceding runs at a high economy. Such hasty decisions underscore a lack of planning for fast-bowling resources in seaming conditions.
Constant Chopping and Changing Disrupts Player Settlement
Stability is key in Test cricket, but Gambhir’s regime has been marked by incessant changes, preventing players from settling into roles. The No. 3 position, for example, saw multiple experiments during the England series, contributing to batting collapses. This instability extended to the entire lineup, with frequent alterations in each Test match. Former players like Dinesh Karthik have questioned Gambhir’s cautious approach, accusing him of picking teams “not to lose” rather than to win. The result? A team in constant flux, unable to build momentum or confidence.
Dropping Players for Personal Reasons and Mismanagement
Gambhir’s handling of players like Sarfaraz Khan and Shreyas Iyer raises serious questions about favoritism and personal biases. Sarfaraz, despite a stellar domestic record and a century against New Zealand in 2024, was dropped for the England tour, with selectors citing “lack of experience” and poor overseas form—decisions reportedly influenced by Gambhir. Similarly, Shreyas Iyer’s exclusion drew scrutiny, with Gambhir initially dodging questions by saying he’s “not a selector,” only to later do a U-turn, hinting at form issues. Critics, including Aakash Chopra, have called this treatment unfair, suggesting personal issues may be at play. This mismanagement extends to others not given fair chances amid the chopping and changing, fostering a toxic environment where merit seems secondary.
Benchwarming Kuldeep Yadav: Ignoring a Proven Weapon
Kuldeep Yadav’s complete omission from the playing XI during the entire 2025 England tour is baffling. Despite his ability to turn matches with wrist-spin, Gambhir benched him in favor of allrounders like Sundar and Jadeja, a choice that former players labeled a “double-edged sword.” Kuldeep didn’t play a single Test, even as India struggled for breakthroughs in seaming conditions where his variations could have been lethal. Michael Clarke, a former Australia captain, emphasized that India needed to play Kuldeep to win in England, highlighting Gambhir’s tactical error.
Overdependence on Jadeja: Overseas Failures Persist
Ravindra Jadeja has been a cornerstone under Gambhir, but his overseas record, particularly with the ball, has been underwhelming for years. While he contributed with the bat in England (516 runs in the series), his bowling has lacked the penetration needed to win Tests abroad. Navjot Singh Sidhu criticized Jadeja for lacking the “ability to win Test matches in overseas conditions,” a sentiment echoed in India’s inability to close out games in Australia and England. Overrelying on him has exposed the team’s vulnerabilities, as he hasn’t delivered consistently outside Asia since 2018.
Additional Red Flags: Home Humiliations and Tactical Blunders
Beyond the user’s points, Gambhir’s coaching has invited broader criticism. The 0-3 home loss to New Zealand in 2024 was unprecedented, marking India’s first whitewash at home in over two decades. In Australia, poor preparation and selection led to a series defeat, with Gambhir under fire for lacking a “sound bowling strategy.” Even the England draw was marred by tactical errors, with Sanjay Manjrekar slamming Gambhir’s selections as “poor.” Incidents like his spat with the Oval curator further highlight a temperamental approach ill-suited for high-pressure Test coaching.
Gambhir’s successes in T20Is are commendable, but Test cricket requires a specialist’s touch—someone like Rahul Dravid, who prioritized balance and long-term development. Continuing with Gambhir risks further decline in India’s Test fortunes. The BCCI must act decisively: replace him with a proven red-ball expert to restore India’s dominance in the format. The game’s future depends on it.
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