Since taking charge as head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team in 2024, Gautam Gambhir has presided over a period of contrasting results. While India has enjoyed success in major multi-nation tournaments and maintained an unbeaten run in T20 internationals, performances in Test and ODI series have been less consistent.
The disparity between tournament success and bilateral series outcomes has drawn attention following India’s recent series loss to New Zealand.
Tournament success masks bilateral concerns
Under Gambhir’s tenure, India lifted the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the Asia Cup 2025, reinforcing the team’s strength in high-pressure, short-format competitions. The side has also remained unbeaten in T20 internationals since his appointment, a statistic that has bolstered confidence in the team’s white-ball depth.
However, these achievements have been offset by repeated setbacks in longer formats, particularly in Tests, both at home and overseas.
Home series losses raise red-ball questions
In Indian conditions, the team has lost three bilateral series since 2024. The most striking result came in 2024 when New Zealand whitewashed India 3–0 in a Test series, with defeats in Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai. The result marked one of India’s rare clean-sweep losses at home in recent years.
The struggles continued in 2025 when South Africa won a two-match Test series 2–0, with victories in Kolkata and Guwahati. The defeats highlighted concerns around India’s red-ball form against pace-heavy attacks.
In ODIs, India also suffered a home setback in 2026, losing a three-match series 2–1 to New Zealand. Losses in Rajkot and Indore allowed the visitors to clinch a bilateral series in India after a long gap.
Overseas tours prove equally challenging
India’s overseas record under Gambhir has also faced scrutiny. His first assignment as head coach was an ODI series in Sri Lanka in 2024, which India lost 2–0. The result set an uneasy tone for subsequent away tours.
In the 2024–25 season, India lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, going down 3–1 in the Test series, with their only win coming in Perth. The following year, India also lost an ODI series in Australia by a 2–1 margin, managing a solitary victory in Sydney.
Assessment continues as tenure progresses
In total, India has lost three Test series and three ODI series under Gambhir’s coaching so far. While tournament wins have strengthened his credentials, the bilateral record in Tests and ODIs remains an area under review as the team looks ahead to future international cycles.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru overcame an early collapse before sealing a 32-run win over Gujarat Giants, powered by a key middle-order stand and a five-wicket haul from Shreyanka Patil.
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