India's head coach Gautam Gambhir is facing intense scrutiny over the national team's performance in Test cricket, with a former international cricketer suggesting a radical solution.
Gambhir's Troubling Test Record as Head Coach
Since taking over the role in 2024, Gautam Gambhir's tenure has been marked by significant struggles in the longest format of the game. The statistics reveal a concerning trend: India has won only seven out of 19 Tests played under his guidance.
This period has included some of the team's most disappointing home results in recent memory. India suffered a 0-3 whitewash against New Zealand in 2024 and a 0-2 series defeat to South Africa in 2025, both on home soil. Furthermore, the coveted Border-Gavaskar Trophy was lost 1-3 in Australia in 2025.
Monty Panesar's Blunt Advice: Learn from Ranji Trophy
The critique has come from a notable figure. Former England spinner Monty Panesar, who has Indian roots, has publicly advised Gambhir to return to the domestic circuit to rebuild his red-ball coaching credentials.
In an interview with ANI, Panesar acknowledged Gambhir's success in the limited-overs arena, where India clinched the ICC Champions Trophy and the Asia Cup in 2025. However, he was clear about the disconnect in Test cricket.
"Gautam Gambhir is a good coach in white-ball cricket because he has been successful," Panesar stated. "He could become the Ranji Trophy coach, and he should talk to the coaches who have coached in the Ranji Trophy about how you build a team in red ball cricket."
A Stark Contrast in Coaching Performance
The core of the issue lies in the dramatic divergence between India's results in white-ball and red-ball cricket under the same leadership. While the team has lifted major ODI trophies, their identity and consistency in Test matches have visibly eroded.
Panesar's suggestion highlights a belief that the fundamentals of building a resilient Test team—patience, technique, and long-term strategy—are often honed in the domestic first-class structure, exemplified by the Ranji Trophy. The implication is that Gambhir, despite his illustrious playing career, needs to immerse himself in that environment to translate his coaching philosophy effectively to the five-day game.
The debate puts the spotlight on the BCCI and the team's think-tank as they navigate this period of transition and mixed results. Whether Gambhir's coaching methods will adapt or whether external pressure will lead to a change in strategy remains a key question for Indian cricket fans.
