Gautam Gambhir, the former India opener and current head coach, is facing increasing pressure due to Team India’s struggles in Test cricket. This is despite the team’s continued success in limited-overs formats, including their Champions Trophy victory.
India’s recent loss to England at Headingley, where they were defeated by five wickets under the captaincy of Shubman Gill, adds to a string of disappointing results. Under Gambhir’s coaching, India have secured only one victory from their last nine Test matches. This stretch includes a 3-0 loss to New Zealand and a 3-1 defeat against Australia, which resulted in India relinquishing the coveted Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have retired from Test cricket following the loss to Australia. Though a fresh team is being built under Gill’s captaincy, the early performances in England have been disappointing.
On his YouTube channel, former India batter Aakash Chopra addressed the situation, urging patience with Gill while drawing attention to the increasing pressure on Gambhir. “Gautam Gambhir is under significant pressure. The situation is becoming increasingly tense. He has managed two wins against Bangladesh and one against Australia, but we’ve lost three matches to New Zealand, three to Australia, and now one to England. He has been losing and losing,” Chopra said.
Chopra emphasised that there are no excuses remaining. “The selectors have provided everything the coaching staff requested. So, if that’s the case, then the results must follow.”
With the series against England on a knife-edge, Gambhir’s position as coach in Test cricket is under the scanner.