IND VS WI: Aakash Chopra Reckons Gautam Gambhir Had A Disastrous Start as Test Coach.

Former India opener and player Aakash Chopra noted that Gautam Gambhir had a worrying start as the head coach of the Indian cricket team in Tests. However, he was quick to point out that things have improved lately, if we consider Shubman Gill-led side’s impressive performances in the Test series against England.

Gautam Gambhir replaced Rahul Dravid as India’s head coach across all three formats after the 2024 T20 World Cup. Although the Men in Blue have had a fantastic run under him in white-ball cricket, their performances in Tests have been underwhelming against New Zealand and Australia.

Aakash Chopra Opines on the start of the Test tenure under Gautam Gambhir. 

Speaking on his own You Tube channel, Aakash Chopra highlighted that barring the series against Bangladesh, Gautam Gambhir had a disastrous start to his tenure as head coach in Tests. Chopra said: “Gautam Gambhir has been the coach in 15 Tests, of which India have won five, lost eight, and two have been drawn. The win percentage is 33.33, which is not great. However, it’s also true that India are going through a transition in Test cricket, and transition is painful.” 

Chopra further added: “India have struggled a little in Test cricket. What happened against New Zealand was slightly surprising and worrying. That was definitely bad. In that backdrop, you went to Australia, and Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s Test careers ended there. They didn’t retire there, but they didn’t play Test matches after that.”

While acknowledging that India’s Test transition is not yet complete, Aakash Chopra observed that the team fared much better in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in England. He elaborated: “The transition is not yet fully completed. A young gun team has been prepared which went and drew the series in England. A new captain scored 750 runs at No. 4, KL Rahul got established as an opener, and things are looking up one more time. The start wasn’t good. Not qualifying for the Test Championship was a serious blow, but things have started looking up now. ” 

After a 2-0 win against Bangladesh in Gautam Gambhir’s first Test series as head coach, India suffered a 3-0 home loss against New Zealand and a 3-1 away defeat against Australia. However, India managed to bounce back to draw the five-match series away from home in England at 2-2.

Aakash Chopra’s Opinion On Gautam Gambhir’s Preference for All-Rounders. 

Speaking in the same video, Aakash Chopra also noted that Gautam Gambhir has shown a liking for all-rounders which has potentially cost Kuldeep Yadav a place in the XI in England. Chopra said: “One imprint is being seen in his coaching tenure, that he likes bowlers who can bat, whether it’s Washington Sundar or Shardul Thakur, and Ravindra Jadeja has been given more responsibility. Sometimes you feel that Kuldeep Yadav is getting left out because of that, but I am sure Kuldeep would have a role when they play at home.” 

The cricketer-turned commentator added that Gautam Gambhir needed to address the No. 3 and No. 6 positions in the batting department. Chopra observed: “Secondly, a few things have gotten fixed. Nos. 4 and 5 and the openers have gotten fixed. There are still slight questions about No. 3 and No. 6, but knowing Gautam, as we forward, although his philosophy is that, barring the openers, the batting order is flexible in T20s, I think he won’t bring that philosophy into Test cricket. He will be very sure who he needs at No. 3 and No. 6.”

Aakash Chopra also highlighted that he isn’t too concerned about India’s bowling department ahead of the upcoming home season. He pointed out that Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav will be the spinners while Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Akash Deep will manage the pace attack in the upcoming home season.

It will be interesting to see how the Indian Cricket Team performs at home when they host West Indies and South Africa for 2-Test series each. They will host West Indies first and that will start from October 2nd from the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Let’s see how things unfold when the Test match comes calling for India in October after Asia Cup 2025.

Also Read: IND VS WI: Aakash Chopra Hails Cheteshwar Pujara’s Legacy.