Former Indian opener and cricket analyst Aakash Chopra has voiced serious concerns over the mounting pressure on the head coach Gautam Gambhir following India’s recent struggles in Test cricket. As the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy continues, Aakash Chopra warned that if the team fails to perform well in the remainder of the series against England, questions about Gambhir’s leadership and strategies will only intensify.
Despite a high point with India clinching the 2025 Champions Trophy under his guidance, Gautam Gambhir’s overall red-ball record has been underwhelming. Since taking over as the head coach last year, India has played 11 Test matches and managed to win only three, two against Bangladesh and one against Australia.
These limited victories are overshadowed by several significant losses, including a 3-1 series defeat in Australia, three losses to New Zealand and most recently, a five-wicket defeat to England in the opening Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. That match exposed team India’s lack of preparation, allowing England to take a 1-0 lead.
In a detailed assessment on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra said the pressure on Gambhir is undeniably increasing, especially in the Test format. While he acknowledged that the Indian team has performed decently in white-ball cricket under Gambhir’s direction, the red-ball results have been concerning. Aakash Chopra stressed that if the ongoing Test series does not yield positive results, it could lead to uncomfortable questions about the team’s direction and long-term planning.
Aakash Chopra emphasised that Gambhir Gambhir has been granted full authority in shaping the team. According to him, the selectors have fulfilled nearly every request from the coach, from player selections to team composition, which places greater responsibility on Gambhir to produce results. He noted that when the management is given such freedom, it becomes imperative to back it up with consistent performances. In his words, “There is no excuse.”
The situation becomes even more delicate considering Gambhir’s influence over not just on-field decisions but also off-field regulations. Reports suggest he has been instrumental in implementing strict rules that limit players’ movement and family time, raising eyebrows within the cricketing fraternity. With no senior figures or highly influential support staff to counterbalance his authority, Gambhir is seen as having near-total control of the team environment.
If India fails to bounce back in this five-Test series, the repercussions could extend beyond just immediate losses. A series defeat would seriously hamper India’s chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship final, a spot they narrowly missed in the previous cycle.
With so much at stake, all eyes are now on Gambhir and his ability to reverse India’s slipping fortunes in the longest format of the game.
All the best Indian team!
