Test losses pile pressure on Gambhir, but BCCI denies coaching change
Gautam Gambhir’s future as India’s Test coach has come under the spotlight after back-to-back home series whitewashes, but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has firmly denied any move to replace him—despite swirling rumours linking VVS Laxman to the job.
“This is totally incorrect news going on. This is totally speculative news. Some very reputed news agencies are also flashing the news. There is no truth to it. BCCI straight away denies. People can think all they want, but BCCI has not taken any steps,” Saikia told ANI.
India suffered a 0-2 loss to South Africa at home in 2025, shortly after a 0-3 whitewash at the hands of New Zealand in 2024. Both series were played on home soil—marking India’s first Test series defeat at home in over a decade. The losses have raised questions about Gambhir’s suitability for leading the red-ball setup, despite his recent white-ball successes.
Monty Panesar urges Gambhir to coach in Ranji Trophy
With criticism mounting, former England spinner Monty Panesar believes the next step for Gambhir should be a return to domestic cricket to sharpen his red-ball coaching credentials.
“Gautam Gambhir is a good coach in white-ball cricket because he has been successful,” Panesar told ANI.
“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,” added the England spinner with Indian roots.
Panesar’s remarks reflect a broader sentiment among some in the cricketing fraternity—that while Gambhir’s white-ball acumen is unquestionable, his red-ball strategic approach needs more grounding.
Gambhir’s mixed record as India coach
Since taking over as head coach in mid-2024, Gambhir has led India to notable white-ball success, including winning the ICC Champions Trophy and Asia Cup in 2025. However, his record in Tests has been far less impressive.
India has played 19 Test matches under Gambhir, winning just seven. The only series wins came against Bangladesh (2-0) and West Indies (2-0) at home, along with individual victories against Australia (away) and England (away). But the team has failed in key contests—most notably the 1-3 loss in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia and the recent home drubbings by South Africa and New Zealand.
From IPL success to national spotlight
Gambhir’s appointment as India coach came on the back of impressive stints in the IPL. He mentored Lucknow Super Giants to consecutive playoff appearances in 2022 and 2023 before returning to Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024, guiding them to their third IPL title. That triumph, along with his leadership pedigree as a former India opener, played a key role in his elevation to the national role.
With the retirements of key Test players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin, Gambhir has also had to navigate a transitional phase in Indian cricket—one that Panesar believes will take time to rebuild from the ground up.
Focus shifts to 2026 T20 World Cup
Despite the Test concerns, Gambhir retains the full confidence of the BCCI across all formats—for now. His next major challenge is the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which India will host in February. Expectations are high after last year’s twin white-ball trophies, and the Suryakumar Yadav-led squad will look to build on that momentum. India has been placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Netherlands, Namibia, and the United States.
India’s next Test assignment is scheduled for June 2026 against Afghanistan in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. Currently, India sits sixth on the WTC points table with four wins, four losses, and one draw.
While the white-ball path ahead seems clear, Gambhir’s red-ball journey remains under scrutiny—and how he addresses those challenges may shape the future of his coaching legacy.
