Indian Test Cricket at a Crossroads Under Gautam Gambhir’s Guidance

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Now that coach Gautam Gambhir has derailed the Test careers of three legends - R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli - he can smile in the comforts of his drawing room in West Delhi. It is no longer speculation but confirmed Gambhir is an egoist and has run cricket based on personal agenda.

When India failed during the BGT Series in Australia, he never offered an apology. He had over-bowled Jasprit Bumrah and the fast bowler broke down, literally. There was no explanation from Gambhir, now famous for leaks with media, some based in the Capital.

When the drama happened in the last Test in Sydney this January, it was almost as if Rohit Sharma had to appear on TV in the middle of a match and deny he dropped himself and Gambhir had nothing to do with it. For all the patriotic stuff which Gambhir talks, he is not as simple as he wants us to believe. He is clever, cunning and conniving.

Sample this, Gambhir still pouts and grieves, he did not get enough credit for his role in the 2011 ICC World Cup win. To allege MS Dhoni got more credit and not himself, it shows the lowest levels which Gambhir can stoop.

There is a sequence of events which forces one to believe Gambhir wants to run (or ruin) Indian cricket. He owes his own career to former Union Minister Arun Jaitley. Had it not been for Late Jaitley going on to become the BCCI President, Gambhir would not be wagging his tail.

Of course, like many rabble rousers, Gambhir has talked of patriotism and war. He was a Member of Parliament from East Delhi in the previous term of the NDA. That he was asked to quit the seat and settle for cricket was compensation. Sadly, it is a decision which has rocked the boat.

Most recently, Gambhir attacked Sunil Gavaskar over his commentary stint beyond 25 years. Such personal potshots at a legend like Gavaskar reflect a lousy mindset. Gambhir is a loner but thinks he is cerebral.

There have been more instances when he has attacked some cricketers for basing themselves abroad and turn NRIs. Is Gambhir national cricket coach or an authority to speak on matters which are not his business. This is the problem with Gambhir, far too much interference.

He has good relations with the BCCI, now a weak body which is watching like a mute spectator. Gambhir has been jealous of Virat Kohli. There was bad blood between the two from Delhi days and Ranji Trophy.

Now, it is well known, Kohli spoke to Guru Ravi Shastri before the retirement decision, not Gambhir. It tells you, what the relation was between Kohli and Shastri as they forged together an important partnership which was fruitful for Indian cricket.

As a Test cricketer, Kohli became a bigger brand than most. To even compare him with Gambhir makes no sense. Of course, when you are in power, you get drunk. Sadly, cricket writers are fans boys of Gambhir, as he will 'leak' stories and run to the BCCI as well talking of discipline.

All this is going to be short-term. Gambhir may think his roadmap for Indian Test cricket encompassing younger players will work. How does he forget, he was also once sacked by the Delhi franchise after KKR threw him out.

Gambhir took credit for KKR's success in the IPL in 2024. If you follow social media posts of Shreyas Iyer, you will get the drift as to how a captain commands on the field. Decisions are made then and there, not from beyond the boundary.

Gambhir has asked the BCCI, now headed by people with very poor credentials, to insist on a few things. He has forgotten he is a coach and not a school PT master barking out instructions to cadets. Does it make sense for Gambhir to try and enforce discipline on seniors like Ashwin, Rohit and Kohli. Are they not mature?

Ashwin has spoken after returning to India why he retired midway through the BGT Series. Obviously, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have nothing left to prove. They featured in India's triumph in the Champions Trophy. Gambhir was coach, no doubt, but he has a support cast which resembles a collection of cronies from the IPL franchises he worked with in Kolkata and Lucknow.

If cricketers can be finished, Gambhir should not think he will be coach forever. Bad results will see him being shown the door. It has happened to those who were coach before him. Indeed, the England Test series will clear a few things. If results go against India, there will be chaos. But then, Gambhir has a great PR machinery at work!