Gautam Gambhir's Coaching Tenure Faces Critical Examination Amid India's Test Cricket Woes
The Indian Test cricket team is currently navigating one of its most challenging periods in recent memory, placing head coach Gautam Gambhir under unprecedented scrutiny. Gambhir's tenure has been marked by significant setbacks, including a disappointing 0-2 home Test series defeat against South Africa and consecutive ODI series losses to Australia and New Zealand.
India's Red-Ball Decline Sparks Concern
While Gambhir's coaching record includes notable achievements such as Champions Trophy and Asia Cup triumphs, these successes have been overshadowed by India's sharp decline in Test cricket. The team currently occupies the fifth position in the World Test Championship standings, raising serious questions about their red-ball capabilities.
The anticipated dawn of the Shubman Gill-led era following a 2-2 draw in England has been disrupted by two comprehensive clean sweeps within a single year. This unexpected downturn has highlighted that Indian cricket is clearly in a transitional phase, struggling to maintain consistency across formats.
Temba Bavuma's Perspective on India's Challenges
South Africa Test captain Temba Bavuma, who oversaw a similar rebuilding process during his early captaincy years, believes Gambhir's red-ball challenges are far from over. In his column for ESPNCricinfo, Bavuma emphasized that India's limited Test schedule in 2026—featuring only five matches including two in New Zealand where India last won a series in 2009/10—presents additional difficulties.
"When it comes to the red-ball stuff, India are definitely a team in transition," Bavuma wrote. "There is nothing unique about where India find themselves in Test cricket. India coach Gautam Gambhir has a lot of pressure on his shoulders, and I think he is going to have to take it as it comes."
White-Ball Cricket as Potential Buffer
Bavuma pointed out that India's depth in limited-overs formats could provide Gambhir with crucial breathing space. The 2026 T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka in February-March, presents a favorable opportunity for success on home ground. Additionally, the continued presence of experienced players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in ODIs offers stability from both performance and leadership perspectives.
"In limited-overs cricket, India have a lot of resources from which to select," Bavuma noted. "So I think Gambhir will be okay in terms of his position. However, from a red-ball point of view, it's going to be tough for this Indian team in the near future."
Debate Over Split Coaching Roles
Amid speculation about appointing separate red-ball and white-ball coaches—an idea denied by the BCCI—Bavuma downplayed the merit of split coaching roles based on South Africa's own experience. The Proteas experimented with this approach in 2023 but found that having one coach across all formats works better for player continuity and philosophical consistency.
"I don't think a lot of teams are going with the split-format system anymore, and to be honest, I'm not really in favour of that rule," Bavuma explained. "If anything, it just confuses the players, because in one format a certain type of language is spoken and then in another format, a couple of weeks later, you need to adjust."
Bavuma suggested that Gambhir, whose contract runs through to the 2027 ODI World Cup, should be viewed as a long-term investment requiring organizational backing during this transitional period.
The Road Ahead for Gambhir and Indian Test Cricket
While T20 cricket remains Gambhir's strongest suit with results backing his credentials, Bavuma believes the real test lies in red-ball cricket. Success at the upcoming T20 World Cup could strengthen Gambhir's position, but Test cricket demands patience and long-term strategic clarity.
"In terms of the way Gambhir controls his current group of Test players, I think it would be best to be clear and say: 'Guys, it's going to be a tough few months on away tours but let's focus on the long term,'" Bavuma added. "But he is going to have to back his horses and, at some point, those horses are going to have to exit their pens and gallop for him."
The coming months will be crucial for Gambhir as he navigates India through this challenging transition phase, balancing immediate results with long-term team development in Test cricket.
