India’s humiliating defeat sparks backlash against head coach Gautam Gambhir

WEB DESK: India’s famed dominance in home Test cricket has unraveled dramatically, and head coach Gautam Gambhir is at the center of the storm. Since taking charge, Gambhir has overseen a string of unexpected defeats, beginning with a 0-3 humiliation against New Zealand and followed by back-to-back losses to South Africa. Today the track history culminated in India’s 2-0 home whitewash as South Africa secured its first Test series win in 25 years.

What once seemed unthinkable has now become reality: India’s fortress at home has been breached repeatedly, prompting questions about the team’s direction, selection approach, and overall philosophy.

While Gambhir is widely praised for his achievements in white-ball formats, his stewardship of the Test side has raised major concerns. A series of contentious decisions and identity-shifting strategies have left many observers blaming him for the team’s sudden slide.

A mix of retirements, muddled strategies, and questionable calls has pushed the side into what many describe as its most confusing phase in years. The combination of tactical missteps and abrupt transitions has created a team struggling to find clarity or cohesion. According to an article by an Indian publication, there are five main reasons why Gambhir might have failed to perform as remarkably as a head coach as he did as a player. The first, and perhaps one of the most controversial elements of this period has been the aggressive approach to pitch preparation.

Surfaces tailored to spin sharply from the opening day, including the Kolkata track that led to a defeat inside three days against South Africa, have backfired badly. Gambhir even admitted that the pitch was exactly as he requested, a stance that only intensified criticism of his broader tactical philosophy and the team’s overdependence on spin-friendly conditions.

The instability in selection has only deepened the crisis. Constant changes to the playing XI have left players unsure of their roles and fearful of being dropped after minor failures. Former cricketers have pointed out that such relentless chopping and changing destroys rhythm and confidence, giving the impression of a perpetual trial rather than a settled Test squad.

Compounding the chaos is the unsettled batting order. The coveted No. 3 position, once synonymous with reliability through names like Dravid and Pujara, has been shuffled among Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Karun Nair, and even Washington Sundar. The elevation of Sundar, in particular, drew widespread criticism, symbolizing Gambhir’s preference for all-rounders at the cost of specialist batters. This experiment-heavy approach has left India with an XI that looks unbalanced and uncertain.

The team also suffered a massive blow with the Test retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Although both players cited personal reasons, reports suggested they were still willing to continue despite the Border-Gavaskar defeat. Their departures created a leadership void at a moment when young captain Shubman Gill needed experience around him. Critics argue that Gambhir’s vision for reshaping the dressing room may have pushed aside senior voices who historically anchored the team through difficult phases.

Adding to the turbulence was Ravichandran Ashwin’s unexpected retirement. Though Ashwin maintained he wasn’t forced out, the timing raised eyebrows. Observers believe the increasing emphasis on multi-skilled players, particularly the promotion of options like Washington Sundar, contributed to a sense that India’s premier Test spinner was no longer central to future plans. Considering Ashwin is the country’s second-highest wicket-taker in the format, the perception that he was eased out unsettled large sections of supporters.

Together, these factors paint a picture of a side caught between clashing philosophies and abrupt transitions. Unless India quickly rediscovers clarity and stability, the slump in their once-unshakable home dominance may continue.