Is time running out for Gautam Gambhir as India’s Test head coach? The former opener has excelled in white-ball cricket. In the last 12 months, Gambhir has lost just 2 matches in T20Is. One-day cricket also is something he’s cracked after struggling with it in the beginning and won the Champions Trophy earlier in the year.
Gambhir under pressure
But it’s been a rocky start for Gambhir in Test cricket. Under him, Team India was whitewashed for the first time in Test history at home, 0-3 to New Zealand. And also failed to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a decade. His former India and Delhi teammate, Aakash Chopra, thinks he’s under a lot of pressure.
“There is a lot of pressure on Gautam Gambhir. It is absolutely mounting. If you look at his performances in Test cricket, you will find that he has not won a lot of matches. He won two matches against Bangladesh and one against Australia. However, he lost three against New Zealand, three against Australia, and one against England. He has been continuously losing,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
India vs England: Last chance for redemption?
Fans and experts are already questioning him. But he reckons the BCCI will ask tough questions as well if the India vs England series doesn’t go as planned. Chopra adds that Gambhir has been given whatever he wants, from players to coaches. But if the results aren’t there, for how long can they wait? Transition won’t be an excuse because he knew about it when he took over.
“But in Test cricket, I think the questions are going to be there. And I think there is a lot of pressure on this series. If the England series doesn’t go too well, then there will be a question mark – where are they going and what are they doing? Because the selectors will feel that whatever team management is asking for, is being given. The type of player you want, the number of players you want, and the player you are pointing at are being given.”
“So, if that is the case, you need to deliver the results. Period. There are no excuses,” he added.
