Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as India’s head coach is under scrutiny following a string of recent Test series defeats, sparking debate among cricket pundits.
A Challenging Run in Test Cricket
Despite being lauded for performances at various points, India faces the prospect of a third consecutive Test series loss if they fall to England in the final Test at The Oval.
Earlier this year, India suffered a 3-1 defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. This result prevented them from reaching the World Test Championship final for the first time.
Prior to that, a shocking 3-0 home defeat to New Zealand added to the team’s woes. All these Test series losses have occurred with Gautam Gambhir at the helm as head coach.
Pressure Mounting, Says Mike Atherton
Former England captain Mike Atherton believes that three successive Test series defeats would place significant pressure on Gambhir, despite his success in leading India to victory in the 2025 Champions Trophy.
“Well, they’ve lost two series in a row. They lost at home to New Zealand 3-0, and they lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 3-1. If they lose this series, then yeah, he’s under pressure as a coach,” Atherton stated on Sky Sports.
Atherton emphasized the high expectations placed on the Indian team. “India, with all their resources, their population strength, they’re not a team that people are patient with. They’re expected to win every time they walk onto the park. So three Test series defeats in a row would be a problem for him,” he added.
Team Management Defends Gambhir
India captain Shubman Gill, however, has dismissed the idea that Gambhir is feeling the pressure. When asked about Gambhir’s recent altercation with the Oval pitch curator, Gill clarified it was a reaction to the team management being denied close access to the pitch, not a sign of stress.
India’s batting coach, Sitanshu Kotak, also echoed this sentiment. He asserted that Gambhir remains unfazed despite the recent results.
“He is not under pressure. The series has been competitive, and both teams have played well,” Kotak said. He highlighted the close nature of the matches, noting that all contests went into the fifth day, making for a brilliant series.
Kotak praised Gambhir’s composure, stating, “I haven’t seen Gautam Gambhir under pressure from his playing days till now.”
Key Takeaways on Gambhir’s Future:
- India faces potential third consecutive Test series defeat under Gautam Gambhir.
- Former England captain Mike Atherton sees this as a significant challenge for the head coach.
- Indian captain Shubman Gill and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak deny Gambhir is under pressure.
- Gambhir also successfully coached India to the 2025 Champions Trophy title.
As the final Test looms, all eyes will be on the team’s performance and the implications for Gambhir’s leadership going forward.
