Gautam Gambhir Reflects on Coaching Tenure: Celebrating Successes and Acknowledging Failures

New Delhi, September 24 (Daily Kiran) : Gautam Gambhir recently reflected on his two-year tenure as head coach of the Indian cricket team, emphasizing both the successes and failures he encountered. During his time, which began in July 2024, India celebrated victories in the 2025 Champions Trophy and the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup. However, the team also faced defeats against Australia overseas and lost test series at home to New Zealand and South Africa.

In an interview with ‘GeoStar’, Gambhir expressed, “These two years flew by. I’ve experienced ups and downs. I have my own failures and successes. Yet, I’ve always believed that when you take on such responsibility, highs and lows are inevitable. Whether in Test, ODI, or T20 formats, I will always remember the successes, but I openly acknowledge the failures as well.”

Discussing the changes in the Test team following the departures of senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin, Gambhir stressed the importance of building a strong core team under current captain Shubman Gill. After the white-ball matches against the West Indies at home, India is set to face New Zealand in a multi-format series, followed by white-ball matches against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, and a five-match Test series against Australia.

Gambhir noted, “The best part is that we have played some excellent Test cricket since the England series. I’m not saying there isn’t room for improvement in our team, especially after the changes due to the departures of Rohit, Virat, and Ashwin. Replacing such players is undoubtedly challenging.”

He added, “Given the talent and experience those players brought, filling their shoes will take time. I’m confident that if we continue to support the right players, Indian cricket can maintain its dominance in red-ball cricket for a long time.”

Gambhir emphasized the importance of nurturing new players in red-ball cricket. He believes that understanding the significance of Test cricket is crucial, stating, “A strong Test team is indicative of a strong cricketing nation. For this reason, red-ball cricket remains our priority.”