Head coach Gautam Gambhir’s Test credentials under scanner

Though BCCI had lots of hope on the aggressive coaching style of former India batter Gautam Gambhir, the high profile former cricketer has so far failed to impress as a coach especially in the longest format of the game.

Under Gambhir’s stewardship, India have so far managed to win only three tests. The former left-handed opener holds a very poor record in red ball cricket. This comes as something that the BCCI would like to ponder after the conclusion of the Border Gavaskar Trophy against hosts Australia.

Fans and experts were surprised and disappointed when a visiting New Zealand team whitewashed India 3-0 in their home soil.

Though visitors India registered a thumping victory against hosts Australia in the Perth Test in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the hosts bounced back to win the Adelaide Test and the Melbourne Test. The Gabba Tests ended in a draw thanks to rain. Now after the loss in the Boxing Day Test, question mark has been raised over Gambhir’s coaching abilities in Test cricket.

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Moreover, after India’s humiliating loss against formidable Australia in the fourth Test, India’s chances of making it to the World Test Championship Finals have severely dwindled. This can well be the first time that India have failed to make it to the WTC Finals as they have done in the past two occasions.

India now have only one Test left in the WTC cycle and there will be huge pressure on the team and the coach to prove their credentials. Though Gambhir has proven himself as a good coach in the white ball format, his credentials in the red-ball format is yet to be proven. India going down to Kiwis in its home soil was very much depressing for the fans.

As per sources, BCCI will still persist with Gambhir and give him more chances despite India’s repeated failures in Test cricket. However, some senior players may bear the brunt of missing out on the WTC Finals. 

Players like all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and captain Rohit Sharma are highly likely to be dropped or announce retirement from the longest format of the game after the conclusion of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.