New Delhi: Eighteen months into his tenure as Head Coach, Gautam Gambhir finds himself at the center of a storm. While his appointment in July 2024 was met with high expectations following his IPL success with KKR, India’s performance in the longest format of the game has reached an alarming low.1 However, a deeper look suggests that the blame may extend far beyond the coach’s seat.
The Alarming Numbers
Under Gambhir, India’s Test win percentage has plummeted to 36.84%—the lowest since the Duncan Fletcher era. A comparison with his predecessors highlights the stark decline:
| Coach | Tests | Win % |
| Anil Kumble | 17 | 70.59% |
| Ravi Shastri | 43 | 58.13% |
| Rahul Dravid | 24 | 58.33% |
| Gautam Gambhir | 19 | 36.84% |
| Duncan Fletcher | 39 | 33.33% |
A Year of Historic “Firsts”
The 2025 season has been a grueling one for Indian cricket fans, marked by unprecedented collapses:
- The New Zealand Whitewash: India suffered its first-ever 0-3 series whitewash at home against the Black Caps.
- Australian Surrender: A meek performance Down Under led to the Test retirements of legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
- South African Setback: Most recently, South Africa handed India a 2-0 defeat on home soil, marking the second home series loss in a single calendar year.
Tough Questions for the BCCI
While the “Gambhir Brand” of aggressive cricket worked in the IPL, critics argue that Test cricket requires a different temperament.2 However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) faces scrutiny over several other factors:
- Selection Dilemmas: The abrupt transition following Kohli and Sharma’s retirements has left the middle order vulnerable. The decision to hand Shubman Gill the captaincy during a 2-2 draw with England showed promise, but consistency remains elusive.
- Scheduling & Preparation: The lack of red-ball practice for senior players and the transition from IPL to Test matches has been cited as a reason for the technical failures on turning tracks.
- The “Mentor” vs “Coach” Debate: Transitioning from an IPL mentor (a 20-over role) to a national Test coach requires a strategic shift that some feel Gambhir is still navigating.
The Path Forward
While the internet continues to pin the blame on Gambhir’s fierce persona, experts suggest an “honest evaluation” is needed. This includes a review of the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee, squad depth, and the quality of pitches prepared for home series. As India prepares for a transition in the post-Kohli-Rohit era, the “Gambhir imprint” will need more than just grit to restore India’s status as a Test juggernaut.