“After a string of disappointing series defeats, India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir’s future hangs in the balance, with the Champions Trophy and England tour as key tests of his leadership.”
January 28, 2025: The performances of veteran Indian cricketers like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Mohammed Siraj have faced intense scrutiny amid India’s recent struggles on the field. While calls for Rohit and Virat to reconsider their Test careers grow louder, no such verdict has been issued yet for head coach Gautam Gambhir. However, his role could come under review if India fails to deliver in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy and the England Test tour.
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Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra has expressed that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is likely to assess Gambhir’s performance after his first year as head coach, which coincides with the conclusion of the England tour.
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Gambhir was appointed as India’s head coach following Rahul Dravid’s exit after the ICC T20 World Cup triumph last year. Since taking over, the team has suffered several disheartening series defeats, raising questions about the coach’s ability to guide India through a crucial transitional phase.
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“I feel one more England tour will be decisive. The BCCI won’t make any major decisions until then,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel. “After the England tour, it will mark one year since Gambhir assumed the role. He was expected to oversee a transition during this period. The review will consider how he prepared players and whether the team’s performances improved under his guidance.”
With the Champions Trophy next on India’s calendar, a poor show there combined with potential struggles in England could bring Gambhir’s tenure as head coach to an end. However, Chopra believes it’s only fair to give Gambhir a full year to prove himself.
“One year is essential to evaluate a coach’s performance,” Chopra explained. “If India doesn’t deliver in the Champions Trophy and the England series, the BCCI might have to rethink Gambhir’s role. Reviewing the head coach’s performance, just like players, should be a standard practice.”
As India gears up for its upcoming assignments, all eyes will be on how Gambhir and his team navigate this critical period. The results of the Champions Trophy and England Test tour could ultimately determine his future with Indian cricket.
Tags: Gautam Gambhir, India head coach review, BCCI, ICC Champions Trophy, England Test tour, Aakash Chopra analysis, Indian cricket team performance, cricket leadership evaluation.