Former Indian player slams Gautam Gambhir's Test record as head coach

Former Indian cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra has openly criticised Gautam Gambhir’s initial stint as the head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team, pointing specifically to the team’s lacklustre performances in Test matches.

The remarks came during a recent video on Chopra’s YouTube channel, where he discussed the challenges facing Indian cricket under Gambhir's leadership.

“There is a lot of pressure on Gautam Gambhir. The pressure is mounting,” Chopra said. 

“If you look at his performances in red-ball cricket, you’ll find that he hasn’t won many matches.”

Chopra emphasised that Gambhir cannot escape accountability for the team’s red-ball struggles.

“His performance in white-ball cricket has been good. The team has been playing well. But in Test cricket, I think the questions are going to be there,” Chopra added. 

He pointed out that despite having most of his demands met by the selectors and team management, Gambhir’s team has struggled to produce consistent results in the longest format.

“If this series doesn’t go well, God forbid, then there will be serious concerns. The selectors are backing the team management by providing the players they ask for. In return, results must follow. There can be no excuses.”

The team has played 11 Test matches under Gambhir's coaching tenure, managing to win just three, two against Bangladesh and one against Australia, while losing seven and drawing one.

It is pertinent to mention that England currently lead the five-match Test series 1–0 against India. In the Headingley Test, England defeated India by five wickets.

Despite five Indian batters scoring centuries, India became the first team in Test history to lose a match under such circumstances.