Gautam Gambhir's Rough Start as India Head Coach Compared to Shastri and Dravid
Prior to these losses, India managed a dominant performance against Bangladesh, winning a two-match Test series, although they had experienced a disappointing ODI series loss against Sri Lanka, marking the first time India lost an ODI series to Sri Lanka since 1997. Gambhir’s strategies and player selections for the Tests against New Zealand have come under scrutiny, putting him in the spotlight early in his coaching career.
Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as head coach of the Indian cricket team has not begun on a positive note. Taking over from Rahul Dravid after India's triumph at the 2024 T20 World Cup, Gambhir's coaching stint has faced challenges, particularly due to a lack of international fixtures, with only four series played since he assumed the role.
The latest setback for Gambhir's team came with back-to-back Test losses to New Zealand, marking a significant moment in Indian cricket history. The first defeat ended New Zealand's 35-year wait for a Test victory in India, while the second defeat secured New Zealand's first Test series win on Indian soil. This loss snapped India’s remarkable streak of 18 consecutive home Test series victories and was the first series defeat in their backyard since 2012.
Prior to these losses, India managed a dominant performance against Bangladesh, winning a two-match Test series, although they had experienced a disappointing ODI series loss against Sri Lanka, marking the first time India lost an ODI series to Sri Lanka since 1997. Gambhir’s strategies and player selections for the Tests against New Zealand have come under scrutiny, putting him in the spotlight early in his coaching career.
Gambhir's third assignment culminates with the third Test against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium from November 1 to 5, effectively wrapping up his fifth series across formats. His initial assignment as head coach included a tour of Sri Lanka, where India won the T20I series 3-0 but suffered a 2-0 defeat in the ODI series. This was followed by a successful Test series against Bangladesh, where India triumphed 2-0, and a 3-0 win in the T20Is. However, the recent defeats to New Zealand have overshadowed these successes.
In contrast, let’s examine how Gambhir’s predecessors, Rahul Dravid and Ravi Shastri, fared in their early days as head coaches:
Ravi Shastri: Shastri’s tenure commenced in July 2017 with a successful tour of Sri Lanka, where India won a three-match Test series 3-0. They dominated the ODI series as well, winning five matches convincingly, and capped the tour with a T20I victory. Following this, India hosted Australia and New Zealand, achieving remarkable success in both formats. India won the ODI series against Australia 5-1, with Shastri suffering his first defeat in the third ODI. The subsequent T20I series ended in a 1-1 draw. Against New Zealand, India again emerged victorious in both the ODI and T20I series.
Rahul Dravid: Dravid’s first assignment was hosting New Zealand for three T20Is and two Tests in late 2021. India swept the T20I series 3-0 and secured a 1-0 win in the Test series, with New Zealand forcing a draw in the first Test. Dravid's next series took India to South Africa, where they began strong with a 113-run victory in the first Test but ultimately lost the series 2-1. Following this, India faced a tough challenge in ODIs, suffering a 3-0 whitewash against South Africa. Dravid’s team bounced back with a dominant performance against the West Indies, winning both the ODI and T20I series 3-0.
As Gambhir navigates these early challenges in his coaching career, he faces high expectations to turn the tide for the Indian team, with upcoming matches crucial for regaining momentum and confidence.
