It will be an understatement to say that the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy is a crucial series for India head coach Gautam Gambhir. The former India opening batter, who made his name by playing gritty knocks under testing conditions, finds himself in the middle of a huge storm, after India lost the home Test series against New Zealand. There are several reports doing the rounds that Gautam Gambhir might be sacked as Test coach if India underperforms in Australia.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir has come under severe criticism after the team’s humiliating whitewash in the recently held Test series against New Zealand at home. The Rohit Sharma-led side lost the three consecutive Test matches in Bengaluru, Pune and Mumbai. This outcome also marked the end of their remarkable streak of 18 consecutive home Test series victories.
Gautam Gambhir’s performance of Indian coach since taking the mantle from Rahul Dravid
Gautam Gambhir was named the chief coach after Rahul Dravid’s tenure ended with the T20 World Cup 2024 triumph in June. The former opener was appointed with a lot of expectations as he mentored KKR to the IPL title earlier this year. His stint with the Men in Blue began on a bitter-sweet note as India won the T20I series 3-0 and lost the ODIs 0-2 on the tour of Sri Lanka.
In the wake of slumping performances, Gautam Gambhir finds himself in a tough spot. In fact, there are several reports claiming that he might be sacked as Test coach if the Indian team underperforms in the upcoming tour Down Under.
After the loss against Kiwis, several reports emerged saying that Gautam Gambhir and the senior members of the team were not on the same page, regarding the choice of wickets. There was also a six-hour review meeting, in which BCCI officials sat down with Gautam Gambhir, captain Rohit Sharma and chairman of selectors, Ajit Agarkar to dissect the defeat, which was India’s first-ever series whitewash at home (series consisting of three or more matches).
Recently, Gautam Gambhir came under a lot of scrutiny, after he took offence to the comments made by Ricky Ponting, regarding the form of Virat Kohli. Speaking at the pre-departure press conference, Gautam Gambhir famously remarked, “Who is Ponting to comment on Indian cricket.”
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh also believes that the forthcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia is really important for Gautam Gambhir. However, Harbhajan Singh finds it unfair to put the entire blame on Gambhir for the series loss against the Kiwis.
Harbhajan Singh says Australia tour 2024-25 will test Gautam Gambhir’s anger and patience
Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh feels head coach Gautam Gambhir will have his patience tested at different times during the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India and Australia will battle each other over five Tests, starting in Perth on November 22. Gautam Gambhir’s stint as Team India’s head coach has started with a series of mixed results. While the side won their first assignment under him – a 3-0 whitewash of Sri Lanka in T20Is, they subsequently suffered a 0-2 defeat in the ODIs.
The story was similar in the red-ball format with India winning the Bangladesh home series 2-0. However, they suffered a stunning 0-3 defeat at home to New Zealand in Gautam Gambhir’s second Test assignment.
It was India’s first home Test series loss since 2012-13 and the first time they were whitewashed at home since 2000.
With the pressure on Gambhir and Team India at its highest due to the New Zealand setback ahead of the all-important Australia tour, Harbhajan said on Jatin Sapru’s YouTube channel:
“It is difficult to run big teams, everyone takes time. If the results were fine, everyone would have said ‘see, Gautam is making the team win’. The series against Australia is important, a lot of things will be tested. Gautam Gambhir who will be sitting outside, his anger and patience will be tested.”
India have been successful against Australia in Tests over the recent years, winning their previous four bilateral series. Yet, the latest meeting between the sides saw Australia defeat the Asian giants in the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC) final by 209 runs.
If the series doesn’t go well, Gambhir will be at the receiving end – Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan Singh felt the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy would be Gautam Gambhir’s ultimate litmus test in his coaching tenure.
The former off-spinner cautioned the Indian coach that a series defeat to Australia would likely draw a lot of flak from everyone concerned.
“He cannot control anything from the outside, big players get frustrated sitting on the sidelines. This Test, Gambhir needs to pass. The tour is very important for Gambhir. In this country, everyone has an opinion. Gautam Gambhir must be feeling low, he is on the radar.
If the series doesn’t go well, Gambhir will be at the receiving end. I want him to stay calm and for the team to perform well,” Harbhajan said in the same interaction.
With the shocking New Zealand defeat, India will have to defeat Australia by an unlikely 4-0 or better margin to confirm qualification for the 2025 WTC final without depending on other team results.