Editor’s Note
This article examines a critical period for Indian Test cricket, analyzing recent series defeats and the scrutiny facing the team’s leadership. The views expressed are those of the author.
The decline of the Indian team has come during a period when the team’s oversight is in the hands of coach Gautam Gambhir. While his success in white-ball cricket is well-known, his strategies in red-ball cricket are under scrutiny. India’s Test team, once called the ‘invincible wall’ of home cricket, is now facing consecutive defeats. The 0-3 loss against New Zealand followed by a 0-2 series defeat at the hands of South Africa has created a stir in Indian cricket.
Cricket analysts, former legends, and fans are holding coach Gambhir, along with the Indian players, responsible for this defeat. Coach Gambhir has already responded to the criticism in a press conference. He said the decision to remove him or not is in the hands of the BCCI, but the board should not forget his successes. Now, a big question is: Is Gautam Gambhir responsible for India’s Test decline? Let’s look at seven major reasons during his tenure that played a key role in dismantling India’s home fortress.
Last year, the sudden retirement of Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s second-highest Test wicket-taker, during the Australia tour surprised everyone. Although Ashwin himself said there was no pressure, the circumstances tell a different story. It was said at the time that Gambhir had insisted on playing all-rounders like Washington Sundar in Ashwin’s place. Under pressure for the importance of a bowler who could bat in the lower order, Ashwin was forced to retire and was also disappointed with Gambhir. Ashwin’s role in team selection and strategy weakened, and the message was clear: the team would now run on multi-skilled players rather than specialists. Many former players consider this change a wrong direction because Test cricket values experience, technique, and expertise.
The second major reason for India’s Test decline is the sudden retirement of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Both called it a personal decision, but reports claim the team management gradually phased them out according to a plan. With the departure of Kohli, India’s most reliable Test No. 4, and Rohit, India’s experienced opener and captain, the team became inexperienced. If these two had guided young players for a few more years, perhaps the Indian Test team would still be strong today.
The role of No. 3 has always been crucial in Test history, with batsmen like Rahul Dravid and Cheteshwar Pujara being examples. But during Gambhir’s era, players like Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Karun Nair, and Washington Sundar were constantly changed. The lack of stability in selection made players insecure and under pressure. By prioritizing all-rounders, the place for specialist batsmen was reduced. Many experts say:
Another major decision by Gambhir that increased instability was constantly changing players. In the past year, India repeatedly changed the team, the pitch, and the strategy, but stability was nowhere to be seen. The policy of dropping players after the first mistake broke the team’s confidence. Former greats believe that continuity in Test cricket comes from consistent selection, not experiments. Players seemed to be playing not for the team, but to save their own place.
It is said that Gambhir wanted India to prepare pitches where the ball would turn sharply from the third session itself. But this strategy backfired. In the Kolkata Test, South Africa thrashed India on a spin track, and the match ended in just three days. When the pitch in Kolkata was helpful for spinners, the decision to play four spinners was also beyond comprehension. South Africa won the match with the strength of their three main spinners. Previously, teams focused on at least drawing a match if they couldn’t win, but now the desire to register a win as quickly as possible has caused damage. The excessively spin-friendly pitches created for wins in fewer days are now becoming a threat to the Indian batsmen themselves. Uneven bounce and rapidly deteriorating surfaces are troubling India as much as the opponents, where India was once invincible.
Not just at No. 3, India’s batting looked weak from the opening to the fifth position. After the departure of players with strong technique and solid defense like Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Ajinkya Rahane, the new batting line-up has not yet stabilized. When the team lost to New Zealand, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were also in the team. In such a situation, Team India is feeling the lack of a batsman in the middle order who can settle on the field and tire out the bowlers. The shortage of batsmen who can handle an innings is repeatedly coming to the fore. This is the result: in two Tests against South Africa, India did not score a single century, nor could the Indian team cross the 202-run mark even once in four innings.
The biggest question now is whether Gambhir will be able to rebuild this team or if India will have to look for new leadership?
