The Indian cricket team is going through a transition period with Gautam Gambhir at the helm of things. Under Gambhir, India won the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy and has transformed into an impressive white ball side; however, it is the red-ball cricket which has raised questions on Gambhir’s credentials as a Test coach.
Gambhir took over as the head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team from Rahul Dravid post the 2024 T20 World Cup. Under Gambhir, India lost 3-0 to New Zealand at home before suffering a 3-1 defeat against Australia at the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India beat Bangladesh 2-0 at home and drew the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2-2 against England away from home.
Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra said the whitewash against New Zealand at home was “definitely bad” and Gambhir’s 33.33 win percentage in Tests is also not great, but he has defended his former India and Delhi teammate, saying the young team is going through a transition period, which is painful.
“Gautam Gambhir has been the coach in 15 Tests, of which India have won five, lost eight, and two have been drawn. The win percentage is 33.33, which is not great. However, it’s also true that India are going through a transition in Test cricket, and transition is painful,” said Chopra on his YouTube channel.
“India have struggled a little in Test cricket. What happened against New Zealand was slightly surprising and worrying. That was definitely bad. In that backdrop, you went to Australia, and Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s Test careers ended there. They didn’t retire there, but they didn’t play Test matches after that,” he added.
Transition not completed
Chopra added that the transition is still not completed post the retirement of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, and things are improving for India. “The transition is not yet fully completed. A young gun team has been prepared which went and drew the series in England. A new captain scored 750 runs at No. 4, KL Rahul got established as an opener, and things are looking up one more time. The start wasn’t good. Not qualifying for the Test Championship was a serious blow, but things have started looking up now,” he said.
