India’s dominant home Test record has faltered under head coach Gautam Gambhir, starting with a 0-3 loss to New Zealand and followed by a defeat to South Africa. The unexpected home losses have shifted the focus to Gambhir, whose influence on the team has drawn both praise and criticism. While he has been successful in white-ball cricket, his decisions in the longest format have been questioned. Here are the five reasons why Gautam Gambhir deserves blame.
Ashwin’s retirement timing
Ravichandran Ashwin‘s sudden retirement sparked controversy, with the timing and circumstances raising questions. While Ashwin denied any pressure, Gambhir’s focus on adding all-rounders like Washington Sundar into the Test squad seemed to overshadow the veteran spinner.
Impact of Kohli and Rohit’s retirements
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s retirements weakened the team’s balance. Reports suggested they wanted to continue playing Tests. Critics believe Gambhir created an atmosphere that sidelined the senior players, viewing their influence as a threat. Their sudden exits left the team without the experience needed for a smooth transition.
No.3 position instability
Gambhir’s tenure has been marked by instability in the batting lineup, particularly at No. 3, a position once held by stalwarts like Rahul Dravid and Cheteshwar Pujara. Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Karun Nair, and Washington Sundar have been rotated, preventing anyone from settling into the role. While Gill, Sudharsan, and Nair were considered long-term options, Sundar’s promotion raised questions.
Frequent changes in the playing XI
Under Gambhir’s leadership, frequent changes in the Playing XI have become a common feature. While different combinations are expected from a new coach, the constant rotation of the players has gone past the point of reasonable experimentation. The changes have created a lack of consistency and confidence. Consistent chances are crucial for players to understand their roles and perform without fear of being dropped.
Impact of pitches on team performance
Another damaging factor has been the focus on preparing rank turners at home. This strategy backfired in the Kolkata Test against South Africa, highlighting a tactical error and an over-reliance on spin.
Despite India losing inside three days, Gambhir showed no remorse, proudly claiming it was the exact pitch he had requested.