Debate: Should Gautam Gambhir continue as India's test coach?

India recently lost their second home test series in Gautam Gambhir’s coaching stint.

Indian Cricket Team suffered another series defeat in test cricket at home, this time against South Africa. This is the second time India have faced a whitewash in test cricket at home in the last 12 months. South Africa handed India a 408-run defeat in Guwahati to clinch the series 2-0.

This shambolic series defeat has caused an uproar among the fans who are asking for accountability. This is the worst India have ever been at home in test cricket, and the team management, led by Gautam Gambhir, is facing the heat.

The calls for replacing Gautam Gambhir as the head coach of the test team are gaining prominence. It will be a mammoth task for the former India international to turn the tide in test cricket. But, should he remain in the job to plan India’s resurgence in test cricket? Khel Now debates.

Why Gautam Gambhir should be replaced?

As the Indian test team hits a new low, the fans are asking for a rejig in the Gautam Gambhir-led management. Here are a few reasons that bolster those calls for change.

Chaos in team selection

More than 20 players have made their debut for India in test cricket in the last few months. It points towards the instability that has plagued this Indian test team. With stalwarts in Virat Kohli, Ravi Ashwin, Cheteshwar Pujara, Rohit Sharma retiring and Ajinkya Rahane being not being part of the team anymore, India have failed to fill the void.

In a frantic attempt to replace these veterans, the team management has provided several players with the opportunity to find their place in the team. But, a very few have been given the time to realize their potential with a well-defined role. The chaos in the batting order is a reflection of the chaos that surrounds the test team.

Over reliance on multi-dimensional players

The head coach Gautam Gambhir has a liking for players who can contribute both with bat and ball. But lately, that liking seems to be taking the path of obsession. He has preferred all-rounders over specialists on the test side, which has cost India valuable ICC World Test Championship (WTC) points.

Players like Nitish Kumar Reddy are persisted with because of their ability to contribute both with bat and ball. But, the way these multi-dimensional players are being used does not justify their inclusion. Reddy bowled only 10 overs in the second test against South Africa in Guwahati and batted at number nine in the second innings.

This over-reliance on all-rounders has unsettled the team composition and compromised India’s strength. This trend has been on the rise since Gautam took charge, and there are no signs of any change in the immediate future.

Also Read: “India needs to sit down and think,” Anil Kumble wants team management to address test cricket mayhem

Players being overlooked

It is not only about the players that are being given opportunities, but it is also about those who are being kept on the margins without any rationale. The Indian middle-order keeps crumbling under pressure but there is no place for one of the best performers in First-Class cricket in the last few years, like Sarfaraz Khan. His exclusion is unfathomable given his record in Indian conditions.

Not just Sarfaraz, but there is another player who is on the sidelines, and that name is Mohammad Shami. The veteran quick has been in sublime form in the ongoing Ranji Trophy season for Bengal, but was not considered for a place in the squad for the series against South Africa.

Shami has also voiced his displeasure over his exclusion and the lack of communication from the management. Abhimanyu Easwaran has also travelled with the Indian squad on a lot of tours, but when it came to testing his merit in international cricket, the team management went with other options. These decisions pose a serious threat to India’s chances of qualifying for the ICC WTC 2025-27 final, and the buck stops with the team management.

Why Gautam Gambhir should continue at the helm?

These are testing times for the Indian team in test cricket, and taking the right calls becomes more important when a crisis knocks on the door. Here are the reasons why India should continue with Gautam Gambhir in test cricket.

Poor gamesmanship from the players

The team management will be scrutinized for its decision, but there is no denying the fact that the game is ultimately played on the field and not on the drawing board. The team management can devise plans, but it is up to the players to execute them.

The poor game awareness, especially from the batters, let India down in the test series against South Africa. The accountability for questionable short selections and the inability to adapt to the demands of the game is on the batters. India lost the plot as players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, and Dhruv Jurel failed to put in a grind, losing their wickets cheaply. KL Rahul, the most experienced customer in the top order, had a tragic series as well.

An inexperienced core

It is also important to remember that this team has a core of young players who are still looking to come to terms with the rigours of test cricket. Six of the 15 players in the squad have played fewer than 20 test matches. With a batting unit that has players in crucial positions who have just started their test career, it is a mammoth task to bring consistency.

In the span of 12 to 15 months, India have lost their core, which had the likes of Virat, Rohit, Pujara, Ashwin, Rahane, and Shami. The transition is a gradual process, and the results might fluctuate while it takes place. Suffering whitewash cannot be part of that process, but the fans should cut team management some slack.

Panic call is not a solution

India are in the middle of ICC WTC 2025-27 cycle, and ousting the team management in the middle of a cycle will signal a panic creeping into the system. Often, such panic calls end up worsening the matters rather than finding solutions. In the last decade or so, India have gone through some turbulent times, but sticking close has always helped the team cruise through.

All that team management needs is to bring more clarity to their decision-making and take calls based on merit rather than being stubborn with their approach. Rewarding performers in domestic cricket and assigning roles to players should be the first steps to start with

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