Gautam Gambhir Under Scrutiny for Declining Performance

Gautam Gambhir became the head coach of the men’s Indian cricket team on 9th July, 2024. The team, which had been performing well under Rahul Dravid, was expected to maintain its excellent form. India added another feather to its cap by winning the Champions Trophy 2025. Its performance in white ball cricket has been exceptional. But, there is much to be desired for improvement in test results. Gautam Gambhir is under pressure to deliver.

Losses under Gambhir

After losing to New Zealand 3-0 at home, India lost the series to Australia too. Now, India started the series with England on the wrong foot, stumbling to a loss even after scoring five centuries. The Shubman Gill-led side stumbled to a five-wicket loss at Headingley. 

After the Australia-India test series, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma also stepped away from the red ball. Team India saw a new line-up led by Gill,and they were expected to fill some big shoes. However, after rejoicing on scoring five centuries, Indian fans had to face disappointment.

Former India batter Aakash Chopra believes Gautam Gambhir desperately needs to get some results in his way. Otherwise, the pressure will continue to increase. He believes Gill cannot be blamed as he has taken over the captaincy. However, questions should be asked to Gautam Gambhir.

This is the principle of Indian cricket. It is true that if it is good, then everyone is proud of it. But if it is bad, then criticism is obvious. I will still be more patient with Shubman Gill because he has just become the captain. It will take him some time to understand,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

Also read: Dravid vs Gambhir: A Statistical Review of Indian Cricket Team

Mounting Pressure on the Head Coach

Out of the last 11 tests under Gambhir, India has only won 3. Out of the last 9 tests, this number falls to just one. India lost back-to-back series against New Zealand and Australia. While the Kiwis whitewashed India 3-0, the Australian team won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 3-1.

“There is a lot of pressure on Gautam Gambhir. The pressure is mounting. His recent performances in Test cricket and red-ball cricket, he has not won many matches. He has won 2 matches against Bangladesh and one against Australia. However, we lost three against New Zealand, three against Australia, and one against England. He has been losing and losing,” said Chopra.

The former India batter also stated that whatever Gambhir has asked from the BCCI, it has been given to him. Therefore, the India head coach has no plausible reasons for this fall in performance. He must start delivering results quickly, or the questions raised will be many.

All requests of Gambhir were fulfilled

“His performance in white-ball cricket has been good. The team has been playing well. But in Test cricket, I think the questions are going to be there. And I think there is a lot of pressure on this series. If this series doesn’t go well, God forbid, I hope it goes well. I want Indian cricket to do well. But if the England series doesn’t go too well, then there will be a question mark,” said Chopra.

“Where are they going and what are they doing? Because the selectors feel that whatever team management is asking for, it is being given. The type of player you want is being given. The number of players you want is being given. The player you are pointing at is being provided. So, if this is the case, then you also need to deliver the results. Period. There is no excuse,” he added. 

It is high time for the head coach to roll up his sleeves, analyse, apply, and improve the team’s performance. Otherwise, the criticism is only going to get harsher, and the critics only increase in number.

For all latest updates Follow theviralmail on X, Facebook, and Instagram