Gautam Gambhir took over the big-ticket job of India’s head coach in July 2024. He was handed the job following Rahul Dravid’s decision not to continue as head coach. Gambhir was a logical choice at the time, having led Kolkata Knight Riders to an IPL title as a mentor recently. Still, there were questions about his lack of coaching experience.
Gambhir’s sudden ascent to the position
Despite being a star cricketer, Gambhir lacked head coaching experience before assuming the role. He only mentored IPL teams after retirement. Nevertheless, he embraced the job amid immense expectations, facing immediate scrutiny as India prepared for upcoming tournaments.
Tumultuous Debut into His Tenure
Gambhir’s tenure as head coach has been shaky from the very beginning. India suffered a series defeat in Sri Lanka, and then there was an unprecedented home Test series whitewash against New Zealand. These defeats shook the fans and critics.
It only adds to the pressure that India is trailing 1-2 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to Australia. Should the team lose the final Test in Sydney, they will go trophy-less for the first time in over ten years.
The “Compromise” Appointment
According to reports now, Gambhir was never BCCI’s choice for the post. The board first approached the head of National Cricket Academy, VVS Laxman, who refused. After that, BCCI had looked for foreign coaches, but most of them rejected the post because of demands for coaching across all three formats.
Left with very few options, the board looked towards Gambhir as a “compromise.” When a senior BCCI official said to PTI on condition of anonymity, “He was never BCCI’s first choice. Some well-known overseas names didn’t want to coach all three formats, so he was a compromise,
It will not be long now, with weeks left before the Champions Trophy in February, for Gambhir to prove himself a capable leader. The tournament would go on to test whether he should remain associated with Team India or not.
To hold onto his job, Gambhir must deliver results and restore confidence among the dressing room and fans. Gambhir’s contract goes until 2027, but what happens next few months will be decided by how the team does in Sydney and the Champions Trophy.
A Legacy Under Threat
Gambhir will go down in history as a World Cup winner and a reliable opener for India. His tenure as coach, however, has been plagued by issues that could mar his Indian cricket legacy. Whether he bounces back from this storm or becomes a lesson in hasty appointments in cricket administration will depend on how well he can survive the current scenario.
The Last Test
Gambhir has much to prove at the SCG during the fifth Test. It will be more than just a game for him-it will be an opportunity to save his tenure and prove himself as a leader. Whether India succeeds in its improbable comeback or not, Gambhir’s grit and strategy will come under the microscope.
For fans and critics, the Sydney Test may well be a defining chapter in Gambhir’s journey as India’s head coach.
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