Gautam Gambhir's appointment as the Head Coach of the Indian cricket team has been met with both excitement and scrutiny. Succeeding Rahul Dravid in July 2024, Gambhir, a former international cricketer and two-time IPL winning captain, brings a wealth of experience and a no-nonsense approach to the high-profile role. His task is to build upon India's recent T20 World Cup victory and guide the team through a period of transition, with some reports suggesting he envisions a future where the "superstar culture" is diminished.
Since taking over, Gambhir's tenure has been marked by both successes and challenges. While he led India to victory in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, recent series defeats against Sri Lanka and New Zealand have put him under pressure. According to sources within the BCCI, his performance is constantly being evaluated, and the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be crucial in determining his long-term future with the team. Some reports even suggest that his role could become "untenable" if India fails to deliver strong results.
One of the key aspects of Gambhir's approach is his stance on senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. While he has stated that performance is the ultimate criteria for selection, their recent retirements from T20Is and Test cricket have raised questions about their future in the ODI format as well. Gambhir has acknowledged their contributions to Indian cricket but also emphasized the need for younger players to step up and take responsibility.
According to a report in May 2025, Gambhir was instrumental in the phasing out of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket. The report claimed that the duo announced their retirement a week before India's squad selection for the England tour, after Gambhir and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar informed them about the team management's plans to go ahead with a younger squad.
However, in May 2025, Gambhir clarified that the team management is not yet focusing on the 2027 ODI World Cup when asked about the potential involvement of veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. He emphasized that the team's immediate focus is on the 2026 T20 World Cup, which will be hosted in India.
Gambhir's coaching style is also reportedly different from his predecessors. Unlike Ravi Shastri and Rahul Dravid, who largely worked in tandem with the captains, Gambhir seems to want more control over team selection, policy-making, and other related matters. This has led to speculation about potential clashes with senior players, although there is no concrete evidence to support such claims. Some reports suggest that he has requested the board for full autonomy to implement his vision for the team.
Ultimately, Gambhir's success as the head coach of the Indian cricket team will depend on his ability to strike a balance between respecting the contributions of senior players and nurturing young talent, while also delivering consistent results on the field. The pressure is undoubtedly on, and the coming months will be crucial in determining whether he can lead India to greater heights.
