Things will change for India head coach Gautam Gambhir? Check details

Under Gautam Gambhir’s leadership as head coach, India has faced a challenging run in international cricket. The team's recent performances have raised serious concerns, especially following their disappointing results in the last two Test series against New Zealand and Australia. These defeats not only led to India’s failure to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final but also intensified questions about Gambhir’s effectiveness as a coach. The loss to New Zealand at home and the subsequent 3-1 defeat to Australia left the team in a precarious position, with many calling into question Gambhir’s ability to turn things around.

Despite the mounting criticism, there are players within the squad who continue to back Gambhir, recognizing the challenges of coaching a high-profile team like India. Some of the senior members have publicly supported the coach, citing the need for patience and understanding in light of the team's struggles. While the pressure on Gambhir is mounting, particularly given India’s fall short of expectations, his backing among certain players highlights a divide. They acknowledge the effort he's putting in but also understand the immense pressure of being at the helm of a team with such high expectations. As of now, the outcome of his tenure remains uncertain, but Gambhir's resolve will likely be tested in the coming months.

Amid the mounting pressure on Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as India’s head coach, former wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has come forward to offer his support. Karthik emphasized the challenges Gambhir faces while trying to fill the big shoes of Rahul Dravid, who enjoyed a successful coaching stint and led India to consistent results across formats. Dravid’s tenure saw significant achievements, particularly in T20Is, where India maintained a strong record. Karthik believes that Gambhir deserves time to establish his own legacy and that it’s unrealistic to expect immediate results, especially considering the high expectations attached to coaching a team as prestigious as India.

Karthik’s backing highlights the importance of patience and understanding in such high-pressure situations. While Gambhir’s tenure has been scrutinized due to India’s recent Test series defeats, Karthik points out that even experienced coaches like Dravid needed time to build a successful framework. He advocates for a more balanced view, suggesting that consistent results in T20Is, as seen under Gambhir, should not be overlooked. As the debate continues, Karthik’s words serve as a reminder that coaching a team of India’s stature is a complex task requiring time and support.

“I think, when it comes to Gautam Gambhir, you got to cut him some slack a little bit because I think he has come in at a very tough time. Post a successful regime of Rahul Dravid, it’s never easy to fill those shoes,” said former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik in a recent interview. 

“He has found success, an immense success in T20 cricket, where he’s had a lot of young boys. He’s been able to have, I would dare say, a massive influence over them. But in Test cricket, he has had the going very hard. Yes, the Bangladesh series was a success and I think post that, things have just gone downhill for him,” he added.

Dinesh Karthik has also shed light on Gautam Gambhir's challenges with managing the current set of players in red-ball cricket. Reflecting on a recent press conference where Gambhir discussed the future of the team, Karthik highlighted the coach's desire for senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to take more responsibility in shaping the direction of the squad. Gambhir had openly expressed his wish for these players to make key decisions, especially regarding the future of the team and the structure of the India playing XI.

Karthik noted that it’s not uncommon for coaches to rely on experienced players to help guide the team, but this situation also raises questions about whether Gambhir is satisfied with the existing roster. The coach’s comments suggest some level of uncertainty, as the team grapples with a dip in form, particularly in Test cricket. Karthik acknowledged that while Gambhir has had his share of criticism, these discussions around squad decisions are a sign of his willingness to build a long-term vision for the team. The emphasis on collaboration between the coach and senior players reflects an evolving dynamic in the Indian cricket team’s leadership. 

“He wants them to take the decision as to what they feel is best, I think the biggest decision for him to make is, is he very, very happy with his current set of players? Is he able to influence them over decision-making? Are they aligned with his thought process? What is his ideology of how the Test team should look? And are these players fitting in? If that is the case, great. If not, then you have to obviously figure out what is the best way moving forward,” Karthik concluded.