Gautam Gambhir’s Thirteen Months As India Coach Raise Tough Questions About Team’s Overall Progress

Gautam Gambhir took charge of India’s Test team with big expectations, but the next thirteen months became a difficult journey. His coaching started with a comfortable win against Bangladesh, which gave fans confidence. But the early success faded quickly. India then suffered defeats that surprised even former players. Gambhir wanted to bring a new mindset, but the results did not match the plans. Many games slipped away because the team failed to handle pressure. This raised questions about India’s overall direction.

How Did New Zealand Shock India?

The first major problem came in the home series against New Zealand. India had asked for spinning pitches, believing the conditions would help them dominate. But the opposite happened. New Zealand beat India in all three Tests. This was their first-ever Test series win in India. Fans were stunned because India rarely loses at home. The defeat exposed deep issues in the team. The batting looked confused. The bowling looked tired. Gambhir’s strategy did not work at any stage of the series. This loss became the turning point of the season.

Why Did South Africa Repeat The Story?

The same pattern continued in the home Test series against South Africa. For this series, Gambhir and the management again asked for spin-friendly tracks. They felt it was the safest plan. But the result was a repeat of the New Zealand failure. South Africa won a Test match in India after fifteen years. The defeat created shockwaves because India has a strong record at home. Experts said the team was trapped by its own pitch demands. The loss also raised doubts about India’s confidence levels. Gambhir’s approach came under more criticism.

What Rare Events Happened Under Him?

During these thirteen months, India faced moments that had never happened before. Their unbeaten record in Manchester ended after thirteen years. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy slipped from India’s hands after a decade. For the first time since the World Test Championship began, India failed to reach the final. Another strange moment arrived when India scored five centuries in one Test but still lost the match. These unusual records made fans even more worried. Critics said India was losing its old strength. These rare events increased pressure on the coaching group.

Is India Losing Its Home Dominance?

The biggest concern for India is the fall in its home performance. From 2011 to 2023, India played forty-one home Tests and lost only five. But under Gambhir, India played eight home Tests and lost five of them. Four of these losses came in the last six matches. This shows a major drop in control on home pitches. Earlier, visiting teams feared playing in India. Now, teams like New Zealand and South Africa have found ways to beat India. This worries selectors and fans. Many believe India is losing its old identity in Test cricket.

How Do His Numbers Compare?

If we compare Gambhir with former coaches, the gap is big. Under Gambhir, India played eighteen Tests, winning seven and losing nine. Two matches ended in a draw. His win ratio is only 0.77. Under Ravi Shastri, India played forty-five Tests, winning twenty-five. His win ratio was 1.92. Under Rahul Dravid, India played twenty-four Tests, winning fourteen. His win ratio was 2:1. The difference shows how India performed much better earlier. Gambhir has not achieved the same success level. This comparison is now a strong talking point.

What Future Questions Now Arise?

India’s Test results under Gambhir have worried selectors, former players, and fans. Some say he needs more time to build a stable team. Others feel the team is not improving and needs a new direction. The next few series will decide a lot. If India continues to lose at home and abroad, his position may come under review. The team must work on both batting consistency and bowling discipline. The coaching group has many decisions to make. The future will depend on how quickly India can recover from these setbacks.