Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as India’s head coach hasn’t gone according to the plan so far. The team hasn’t got the desired result with the hammering to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 being the latest setback.
After the poor results, his position has come under serious threat. However, former India opener Aakash Chopra believes that Gambhir’s spot won’t be in danger even if India doesn’t do well in the upcoming Champions Trophy.
According to Chopra, Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as the head coach must be reviewed after the Test series against England which will begin in June this year. India will play a five-match Test series in England after the completion of IPL 2025.
Also read: KL Rahul included but denied leadership as Karnataka Ranji Trophy squad for Haryana clash announced
“You were supposed to ensure transition” – Aakash Chopra to Gautam Gambhir
While speaking on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra said that Gautam Gambhir’s tenure will be reviewed after the Test series in England and he will continue even if India doesn’t do well in the Champions Trophy.
“I feel one more England tour. I don’t think the BCCI will say anything to him (Gautam Gambhir) until then. After the England tour, it will be a year since he took over the reins,” Chopra said.
“You were supposed to ensure transition within one year. So how he did there, which players he prepared, and whether the team’s performances have improved, a review can be done for him,” he added.
When will Gautam Gambhir’s tenure be reviewed?
Further speaking on his channel, Aakash Chopra claimed that one year is needed at least to judge the performance of a coach. He asked the BCCI to review Gautam Gambhir’s tenure just like any other player.
“At least one year at the job is absolutely important to review someone’s performance. You need 12 months. So I feel not the Champions Trophy, but the England tour,” Chopra said.
“That might just be a critical barometer or parameter based on which Gautam Gambhir’s performance might be reviewed. It won’t be a bad thing. You review the performances of batters and bowlers, so do it for the coach as well,” he observed.
Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as India’s head coach
With Gautam Gambhir as head coach, India lost to Sri Lanka in an ODI series after 27 years. The Men in Blue then suffered a shocking 0-3 series defeat to New Zealand in a home Test series. It was their first Test series loss at home in 12 years.
Recently, India lost a Test series to Australia after a decade and gave away the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. It was also the first time that India failed to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Gambhir has a big task ahead of him before the Champions Trophy as he aims to redeem himself.
India will travel to England for a five-match Test series in June 2025. It will be an important series not only for the players but also for Gambhir who will be under immense pressure going into the tour.