Gautam Gambhir Faces Backlash Over India’s Test Struggles: Is His Coaching Tenure in Trouble? 🏏🔥
🏏 Introduction: Gautam Gambhir’s Coaching Under Fire
Gautam Gambhir, India’s head coach since July 2024, is under intense pressure following India's inconsistent Test performances, especially in the ongoing England Test series 2025. While Gambhir has delivered success in white-ball formats—most notably winning the ICC Champions Trophy 2025—his Test record is causing growing unrest among fans and experts alike.
This blog offers a deep dive into the criticism Gambhir is facing, analyzes his decisions during the England series, presents reactions from fans and former cricketers, and discusses the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s stance on his future.
🕰️ Background: Gambhir’s Journey as Team India Head Coach
Gambhir's coaching rise began in the IPL, mentoring Lucknow Super Giants and leading Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to their third IPL title in 2024. His appointment as head coach followed Rahul Dravid’s successful stint, which ended with a T20 World Cup victory in 2024.
Early Success in White-Ball Formats:
- ✅ 3-0 T20I series win vs Sri Lanka
- ✅ 2-0 Test series win vs Bangladesh
- 🏆 ICC Champions Trophy 2025 win vs South Africa
Red-Ball Struggles:
- ❌ 0-3 home series loss to New Zealand
- ❌ 1-3 Border-Gavaskar Trophy loss to Australia
- ❌ Trailing 1-2 vs England in July 2025
🏟️ England Series 2025: A Crucial Test for Gambhir’s Leadership
| Test Match | Venue | Dates | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | Headingley, Leeds | Jun 20–24 | Lost by 5 wickets |
| 2nd Test | Edgbaston, Birmingham | Jul 2–6 | Won by 100 runs |
| 3rd Test | Lord’s, London | Jul 10–14 | Lost by 7 wickets |
| 4th Test | Old Trafford, Manchester | Jul 23–27 | England 544/7 (India trail by 186, Day 3) |
| 5th Test | The Oval, London | Jul 31–Aug 4 | Upcoming |
The fourth Test in Manchester has triggered severe criticism, particularly after Joe Root’s 150 and India’s weak bowling response.
🔍 Key Issues: Why Gautam Gambhir is Facing Criticism
1. 🚫 Controversial Team Selections
- Exclusion of Shreyas Iyer, despite strong domestic form
- Preference for all-rounders like Nitish Kumar Reddy & Shardul Thakur
- Gambhir’s defense: “I am not a selector.”
Experts like Sahil Kukreja called the decisions “shocking,” while fans believe merit is being sidelined.
2. 🧠 Tactical and Strategic Errors
- Delayed use of Kuldeep Yadav (top spinner) until the 69th over in the 4th Test
- Over-reliance on four seamers, including out-of-form Shardul Thakur
- Poor field placements and lack of proactive in-game decisions
Sanjay Manjrekar and Navjot Singh Sidhu criticized the tactical rigidity and confusion in planning.
3. 🎯 Poor Bowling Management
- Giving the new ball to low-pace Anshul Kamboj despite pitch assistance
- Benching Kuldeep Yadav on turning tracks
- Inconsistent role definition for key bowlers like Mohammed Siraj
Fans described it as “ego-driven sabotage,” questioning Gambhir’s leadership style.
📢 Fan Backlash: Social Media Turns Against Gambhir
Social platforms like X (formerly Twitter) are filled with frustration:
@hathrasi_ladka (July 26, 2025):
“Giving Kamboj the new ball while benching Kuldeep? This isn’t bad planning, it’s sabotage. You deserve all the criticism, Gambhir.”
@Mr_LHS_RHS (July 24, 2025):
“He pushed Rohit, Kohli into retirement. Now ruining Indian cricket. Sack Gambhir before it’s too late!”
Trending hashtags: #SackGambhir, #FireTheCoach, #BringBackDravid
🎙️ Expert Reactions: Gambhir Under Microscope
🗣️ Navjot Singh Sidhu:
“Cricket is won by combinations, not by constant changes.”
He slammed Gambhir’s frequent reshuffling of the playing XI.
🏏 Steve Harmison (Ex-England Pacer):
“Where is the leadership? The team looks lost under Gambhir.”
Both echoed growing discontent about the direction Indian Test cricket is taking.
🧍 Gambhir’s Response: Defensive But Focused on Process
Gambhir has avoided direct engagement with the criticism but previously said:
- 🗨️ “I am not a selector” — distancing from team selection debates
- 🗨️ “Indian cricket is more important than Gautam Gambhir” — prioritizing team culture
- 🗨️ Backed players like Karun Nair for “domestic form and mental resilience”
After losing the first Test, he said:
“Sometimes people fail. That’s okay. They are more disappointed than anyone.”
His long-term approach isn’t resonating with fans who want immediate results.
🏛️ BCCI’s Stance: Full Support for Now
Despite calls for his removal, BCCI remains firmly behind Gambhir:
- 📰 Dainik Jagran (July 25, 2025): “His job is 100% safe.”
- 📰 Hindustan Times (June 30, 2025): “Even a 0-5 whitewash won’t affect Gambhir’s position.”
This shows the board sees this phase as a transition post-Rohit and Kohli era, with Shubman Gill as new Test captain and Bumrah injured.
⚖️ Gambhir vs Past Coaches: A Performance Comparison
| Coach | Test Record (1st Year) | Major Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Rahul Dravid | 6-4 | T20 WC Winner, WTC Final |
| Ravi Shastri | 3-7 in ENG | Historic AUS wins |
| Gautam Gambhir | 3-7 | ICC Champions Trophy |
Gambhir’s red-ball stats don’t inspire confidence. Compared to predecessors, he’s underperforming in Tests, despite success in ODIs and T20Is.
🧭 What’s Next for Gambhir and Indian Test Cricket?
The final Test at The Oval will be decisive. A loss would:
- 🔺 Increase media and fan pressure
- 📉 Further damage team morale
- 🗣️ Strengthen demands for his resignation
However, with the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship cycle still in early stages, Gambhir has a window to rebuild—if he learns from recent failures.
✅ Conclusion: Adapt or Abdicate?
Gautam Gambhir’s Test coaching journey is at a defining moment. Despite BCCI’s unwavering support, the persistent backlash from fans and experts reflects dissatisfaction with team selection, tactical execution, and player management.
To silence critics and steer India toward Test dominance, Gambhir must:
- ✅ Prioritize consistency in selection
- ✅ Empower specialists over utility players
- ✅ Adapt white-ball aggression into red-ball patience and precision
The Oval Test and future WTC matches will determine whether Gambhir evolves into a long-term visionary or becomes another short-lived experiment in India’s coaching carousel.
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