Aakash Chopra pointed out Gautam Gambhir’s underwhelming track record as head coach in Test cricket. Despite India’s strong performances in white-ball formats — including winning the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and steady growth in T20Is — their form in Test cricket has noticeably dipped since Gambhir took charge.
India have struggled to compete with top-tier teams in the longest format. Currently, they have managed just one win in their last nine Test matches. The recent loss to England in the first Test at Leeds has only intensified the scrutiny on Gambhir’s leadership.
Gautam Gambhir: The pressure further mounted after India suffered an unprecedented 0-3 whitewash at home against New Zealand — a first in Indian cricket history. That was followed by a disappointing 1-3 series loss in Australia.
“Need to Deliver Results” – Akash Chopra on Gautam Gambhir’s Early Test Record as Head Coach
Since Gautam Gambhir’s appointment as India’s head coach, the team’s performance in Test cricket has raised eyebrows. Under his leadership, India has won only one Test series — a home series against Bangladesh — and managed just a single Test victory outside of that, which came in Australia.
Adding to the challenges, key players like Ravi Ashwin (across all formats), Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli — all pillars of India’s Test side — have retired from the format. With Shubman Gill taking over as Test captain, Gambhir now faces the task of rebuilding a new-look Indian side. However, their rocky start to the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle has sparked criticism.
Gautam Gambhir: Former India cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra has questioned Gambhir’s impact, citing India’s defeats and the growing pressure on the new head coach.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra remarked, “There’s a lot of pressure on Gautam Gambhir. It’s piling up. The selectors have provided everything the coaching staff asked for. So now, it’s time to deliver results. Period.”
Despite being given full authority in team matters, Gambhir’s tenure has yet to yield the expected outcomes. As a result, the ongoing Test series in England is being seen as a crucial moment — one that could define Gambhir’s future in the role, particularly in the red-ball format.
