BCCI in denial mode despite India's horrible results under Gautam Gambhir

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) says all is well but the reality is pretty different. In Tests, the Indian team is failing to win many series. In fact, under Gautam Gambhir, India have managed to win Test series against some lesser-strength sides, Bangladesh and West Indies. Winning white-ball series was his only saving grace, and now, even that is under a huge question mark after India’s horrible tour of the United Kingdom. First Ireland, and then receiving a shellacking against England.

BCCI says ‘everything’s fine’

India’s run following the T20 World Cup 2026 has been abysmal. Shreyas Iyer‘s regime as T20I captain started with 0-6 defeat. Now, India have received a bashing in ODIs too. Despite all this, the BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla feels that everything is fine and has given a positive outlook.

Following a 27-run loss in the ODI series-decider at Lord’s, Shukla, who was present with the team in London, said that the Indian batting superstars did well. He lauded the likes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli but simply put up the fact that the reason why India lost is because England scored impactful runs in the death overs..

“Today’s match was certainly a hard-fought one, there’s no doubt about that. They ended up scoring too many runs, they made 60 runs in the last three overs, and that was a bit of a shortcoming. Otherwise, our batsmen also put up a fantastic performance, especially our veteran icons, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma,” Shukla spoke to ANI.

“They proved once again that they are strong batsmen and still have the power in them. In my opinion, the biggest highlights today were the batting of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, followed by Shubman Gill. So, I feel the team combination is good and everything is fine. However, they just scored more runs, which is why we had to face this struggle,” he said.

All is not well, BCCI

While the BCCI may give an optimistic view of the game, fans should definitely raise questions on the regularity of these defeats. Ever since Shubman Gill has become India’s ODI skipper, he has recorded three series defeats. Not long ago, there was a time that a series defeat in ODIs felt like a huge surprise.

This is not the case anymore. It all started with a tough series loss to Australia Down Under before New Zealand stunned India right before the T20 World Cup 2026. Now, on the other side, England have managed to beat India in an ODI bilateral after eight years. The problems are plenty.

Firstly, India’s bowling attack is Jasprit Bumrah or nothing. Without Bumrah, there’s no natural wicket-taker, and that is exactly what we saw at Lord’s as England put up the highest-ever ODI total at the iconic venue against a hapless Indian bowling attack. The fact that this management doesn’t trust Kuldeep Yadav to play as a specialist spinner also hurts the case. Kuldeep, with his uniqueness and guile, is India’s biggest wicket-taking option. Yet, he continues to be sidelined so that India can add more depth in batting.

But what’s the use of that batting depth when you can’t win matches? India predominantly played with eight batting options. In the second ODI, India endured a horrible collapse, getting bundled out for 233 despite being at 178/3 at one point. Then, England rode on Joe Root’s 99* to clinch the match. Then, there are injury problems that haven’t helped at all. As many as four players have got injured in this UK tour, a voyage that might put Gambhir under massive trouble.

Unwanted streaks India attained under Gautam Gambhir

India’s first ODI bilateral series loss to England after 2018.
First-Ever 3+ match bilateral whitewash in T20Is (vs England 2026)
First-ever T20I series loss to England
Most matches lost in a single bilateral T20I series (vs England 2026)
After 27 years, India lost a bilateral ODI series vs Sri Lanka.
For the first time, India lost 30 wickets in a 3-match ODI series.
After 45 years, India remained winless in ODIs in a calendar year.
After 36 years, India lost a home Test vs New Zealand.
For the first time, India were bowled out for under 50 runs at home.
For the first time, India lost a home Test series vs New Zealand.
After 12 years, India lost a home Test series.
After 12 years, India lost back-to-back home Tests.
After 47 years, India lost three consecutive home Tests.
For the first time, India were whitewashed 3-0 in a home Test series.
After 10 years, India lost back-to-back Test series.
After 10 years, India lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Failed to qualify for the World Test Championship final for the first time.
India became the first team to lose a Test after scoring five centuries in the match (Leeds).
After 15 years, India lost a home Test against South Africa.
After 8 years, India lost an international match at Eden Gardens.
India failed to chase 124, their lowest unsuccessful chase at home.
After 25 years, India lost a home Test series against South Africa.
Registered their biggest Test defeat (by 408 runs).
After 30 years, India completed a home Test series without a single century from their batters.
For the first time, India were whitewashed in home Tests in back-to-back calendar years.
For the first time, India lost a home ODI series to New Zealand.
For the first time, India lost an international match against Ireland.
(Credit: @Shebas_10dulkar)