The India National Cricket Team is enduring one of its roughest phases in Test cricket in recent years, and pressure is mounting on head coach Gautam Gambhir. Since taking charge in mid-2024, Gambhir has overseen mixed results across formats, with India’s white-ball success contrasting sharply with their prolonged Test and ODI struggles.
While India lifted the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 earlier this year, they suffered disappointing ODI series defeats in Sri Lanka and Australia. In the longest format, the decline has been even more striking, exposing issues in strategy, team balance, and temperament under pressure.
India’s poor Test run under Gambhir
India’s Test form has drawn increasing criticism after a string of underwhelming series performances. A shocking 0-3 defeat at home to New Zealand — their first home series loss in 12 years — set the tone for what has been a turbulent journey. Subsequently, they lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 1-3 in Australia, prompting widespread scrutiny.
A 2-2 draw in England for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy provided some relief, yet the inconsistencies persisted. In all, India have played 18 Tests under Gambhir, winning seven, losing nine, and drawing two.
The current two-match series against South Africa has worsened the atmosphere around the team. After losing the first Test in Kolkata by 30 runs, India now risk a whitewash at home as they battle in Guwahati. A dismal batting collapse in their first innings — bowled out for just 201 after South Africa put up 489 — has deepened concerns.
With the Proteas already extending their second-innings lead to more than 350 runs, India face the prospect of another heavy defeat on home soil.
Gambhir’s leadership under scrutiny
India’s batting, particularly in Tests, has repeatedly crumbled under pressure, raising serious questions about team selection, tactical calls, and an overly aggressive approach that has backfired in key moments. Critics argue that the team has lacked stability in the middle order and clarity in its long-term planning.
The mounting criticism has put Gambhir firmly under the scanner. Former players, analysts, and fans have expressed concern over the team’s inability to adjust to conditions, sustain partnerships, or build innings in the traditional Test format.
With India staring at another potential Test series defeat at home, calls for a reassessment of Gambhir’s strategies have grown louder.
Iceland Cricket takes a cheeky jibe at Gambhir
In an unexpected twist, Iceland Cricket — known for its humorous and often sarcastic social media presence — joined the conversation with a playful yet pointed dig at India’s Test struggles. Posting on X (formerly Twitter), the European associate team declared that they would not be inviting Gambhir to coach their national side.
Their post read:
“To all our fans, no, Gautam Gambhir will not be invited to be our new national team coach. That position is already filled, and we won 75% of our matches in 2025.”
The comment, though lighthearted, added to the embarrassment for Indian cricket, showing that their recent failures have not gone unnoticed even in smaller cricketing nations.
Mockery highlights India’s deepening Test crisis
Iceland Cricket’s tongue-in-cheek remark has revived critical discussions around India’s Test approach. When an associate nation feels confident enough to publicly mock the coach of one of the world’s most powerful cricket boards, it underscores how steeply the Test unit has declined.
India’s struggles have brought forward issues of inconsistent selection, sudden changes in batting order, and a reliance on aggressive stroke play that often results in collapses. Experts have urged India to return to more traditional Test match play: building innings patiently, valuing time at the crease, and ensuring bowling workloads are managed effectively.
South Africa’s dominance in Guwahati has only intensified the debate. After piling up 489 in the first innings, the tourists bowled out India cheaply and took control of the match with ease. Their disciplined batting and effective use of conditions have exposed India’s lack of adaptability.
Conclusion
India’s ongoing Test slump, combined with public criticism — even from associate teams like Iceland Cricket — reflects growing unease about the team’s direction. With major Test assignments ahead, the pressure on Gambhir to revive India’s red-ball form has never been greater. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether the team can stabilise or whether sweeping changes may be required.