In the wake of India’s recent performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25, the spotlight is on head coach Gautam Gambhir, with many questioning his tactical decisions and team selections. While India emerged victorious in the first Test, the overall performance against Australia has raised significant concerns, particularly around Gambhir’s approach as the head coach.
Mohammad Kaif Critiques Gambhir’s Tactical Decisions
Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has expressed his concerns regarding Gambhir’s coaching style. During a live session on Instagram, Kaif pointed out that a coach’s primary responsibility is to select the right team based on the conditions, and tactically, Gambhir seemed to fall short. Kaif noted, “The best coach is one who is tactically superior and knows how to pick the right XI according to the conditions. Against a team like Australia, this is essential.” He further stated that Gambhir’s tactical decisions during the BGT were lacking, which ultimately hampered India’s chances of dominating.
The Impact of Team Selection on India’s Performance
One of the major talking points from the series was the omission of two of India’s most seasoned players—Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin—from the playing XI in the opening Test. Kaif criticized Gambhir for this tactical blunder, even though India won the match. He stated, “It was a tactical mistake not to include these two experienced players. Their inclusion could have bolstered the team’s chances.” The absence of Jadeja and Ashwin, both world-class spinners, against a team like Australia raised eyebrows, especially when both players are known for their ability to turn matches in India’s favor.
Kaif’s comments highlight the importance of tactical decisions in international cricket, particularly in crucial series like the BGT. As a coach, Gambhir’s ability to analyze the pitch conditions and select the ideal playing XI is key to India’s success. The failure to do so has invited scrutiny, and Kaif has urged Gambhir to learn from these errors in the future.
India’s Struggles Under Gambhir’s Leadership
Since taking over the role of head coach after India’s T20 World Cup triumph, Gambhir’s leadership has faced significant challenges. Although India has maintained dominance in the T20I format, the ODI and Test formats have been a different story. Under Gambhir, India faced disappointing defeats in both ODIs and Tests, including series losses to Sri Lanka and New Zealand, as well as the recent 3-1 defeat to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
While India’s T20I victories against Sri Lanka and a home Test series win against Bangladesh provided some solace, the broader trend has been one of underachievement. Harbhajan Singh, another former cricketer, has also been vocal in his criticism. On his YouTube channel, Singh questioned, “What went wrong after Rahul Dravid’s departure? India won the World Cup under his guidance, but Gambhir’s tenure has seen multiple setbacks.”
Time for Reflection: What’s Next for India and Gambhir?
With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy ending on a disappointing note, especially after India failed to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final, the team faces a critical juncture. The upcoming tour of England in June 2025 presents a crucial opportunity for India to regroup and rethink its strategies. However, questions about Gambhir’s coaching and the team’s tactical setup remain unanswered.
As India prepares for future challenges, the need for careful introspection cannot be overstated. Can Gambhir bounce back from these setbacks? Will he refine his tactical approach and team selection moving forward? Only time will tell if the former cricketer can restore India’s reputation in the ODI and Test formats.
Conclusion
Gautam Gambhir’s stint as head coach has been a mixed bag so far, with notable victories but also disappointing losses. Critics like Mohammad Kaif and Harbhajan Singh have raised valid concerns about his tactical acumen and team selection, particularly during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Moving forward, Gambhir needs to address these areas, learning from past mistakes, and making the necessary adjustments to ensure India’s success on the international stage.
For fans and cricket pundits alike, the upcoming months will be pivotal in determining whether Gambhir can turn things around and lead India to greater glory in the coming years.
