South Africa’s Test captain, Temba Bavuma, under whom the Proteas won their maiden red-ball series in India, feels that the Indian head coach, Gautam Gambhir, would be under tremendous pressure to handle the transition of the red-ball side. Bavuma steered the 2-0 Test series win over the blue brigade in November and reflected on how India remained a dominant ODI side. 

After losing the Test series, India returned in full force to win both the ODI and T20I series, where Bavuma pointed out the spark that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the two veterans of the game, brought to the 50-over format. At the same time, the same thing happened under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav in T20Is, along with the all-rounder Hardik Pandya and fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah.

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“You saw how India performed in the ODI space with their two stalwarts, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, versus in the Test game, where those two weren’t available for selection. When it comes to the red-ball stuff, India is definitely a team in transition.” Bavuma wrote in his ESPNcricinfo column.

Temba Bavuma reflects on Gautam Gambhir's Test future in coaching

Bavuma remarked that Gambhir and his boys will need to find a way to get back to the best of Tests under the leadership of Shubman Gill. He felt that having Kohli and Rohit in the side on the road to the ODI World Cup 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia would take pressure off Gambhir.

“India coach Gautam Gambhir has a lot of pressure on his shoulders, and I think he is going to have to take it as it comes. He is going to have to find a way to buy himself time in the red-ball game, and I’m of the view that the performances in white-ball cricket may assist him.” Bavuma penned down.

“In ODIs, Kohli and Rohit will naturally take on a lot more responsibility from a performance and leadership point of view. So I think Gambhir will be okay in terms of his position. However, from a red-ball point of view, it’s going to be tough for this Indian team in the near future.” He added.

Former India and KKR batter Manoj Tiwary believes the BCCI may make the tough decision to sack head coach Gautam Gambhir if India fails to win the T20 World Cup at home. Under Gambhir, India has not lost a single bilateral T20 series, but the team’s poor performance in Tests and ODIs has put him under pressure.

Since Gambhir became head coach in July 2024, India has lost two home Test series against South Africa and New Zealand. In a recent three-match ODI series, India lost to a weakened New Zealand team. Because of this, Gambhir is giving great importance to the T20 World Cup, and a poor result could cost him his job.

The two-time IPL champion may be sacked if Suryakumar Yadav and the team fail to win the 20-team tournament, which starts on February 7. Tiwary, who has criticised Gambhir’s coaching style before, believes the T20 World Cup is crucial for the current coach.

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BCCI May Take Big Decision on Gautam Gambhir After T20 World Cup

“If India doesn’t win the T20 World Cup, then I think the BCCI should take a big and difficult decision regarding Gautam Gambhir. The BCCI secretary has already said that Gambhir will continue until his contract ends, and there is no question of removing him,” Tiwary told InsideSport.

“But I think in the 2026 T20 World Cup, if the result does not come, then the BCCI may remove him and take a big call,” he added.

India’s Group and Title Defence

India is in Group A alongside arch-rivals Pakistan, Namibia, Netherlands, and the USA. The hosts will start their T20 World Cup title defence on February 7 at Wankhede Stadium against the United States.

VVS Laxman Could Be Next Head Coach

Tiwary thinks the BCCI should try to persuade former India batter VVS Laxman to become head coach if Gambhir is sacked. Laxman used to travel with the senior men’s team when former coach Rahul Dravid was not available. Tiwary believes Laxman is the perfect candidate because he has plenty of experience.

“I think it has to be a process-driven thing. When Rahul Dravid was the coach and didn’t go on some tours, VVS Laxman used to go. So he was the natural choice,” said Tiwary.

“I think the BCCI should try to convince Laxman because he is level-headed and a good person. He also has coaching experience, so BCCI should consider him,” he added.

India won the match in Guwahati and also won the 5-match T20I series against New Zealand, ahead of the T20I World Cup 2026. The three straight wins were important for the team’s morale. The confidence of the players and the head coach, Gautam Gambhir, should be high before the big tournament.

Team India’s confidence had taken a hit when New Zealand, with several new players, won the 3-match ODI series. After that, Gautam Gambhir faced a lot of criticism on social media. This was not the first time he had to deal with critics.

Since joining Team India as head coach, Gautam Gambhir has seen many highs and lows. While India stays strong in T20Is, they have struggled in Tests and ODIs at times. Many cricket fans on social media asked the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) to remove Gautam Gambhir from his position.

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BCCI trusts Gambhir ahead of T20I World Cup 2026

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has trust in former cricketer Gautam Gambhir. Even though India has struggled in Tests and ODIs under his coaching, the team remains strong in the shorter format. This is very important ahead of the T20I World Cup 2026. India will enter the tournament as defending champions and is a favourite to retain the title.

Ajinkya Rahane suggests Gambhir stay away from social media

After India’s 3rd T20I win against New Zealand, former Indian skipper Ajinkya Rahane advised Gambhir. Rahane suggested that Gambhir avoid social media to stay away from unnecessary thoughts. He said coaching Team India is a very responsible job.

“My only response is that GG should stay away from social media. He should not think too much about what people are saying. He played his cricket well, and now he is coaching India, which is a big responsibility,” Rahane said on Cricbuzz.

“He should focus on the team and stay away from social media until the World Cup is over. That is my personal opinion,” he added.

India’s poor results under Gambhir’s coaching

During Gambhir’s tenure, India was whitewashed by New Zealand in a three-match Test series at home. They also lost the two-match Test series against South Africa.

In ODIs, India suffered defeats against Sri Lanka and New Zealand. In both cases, India had a stronger team on paper but failed to perform on the field.

The head coach of the Indian men’s T20I side, Gautam Gambhir, has visited the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati on January 25 ahead of the third T20I clash of the five-match series against New Zealand as the home side already leads the series margin by 2-0 while they aim to claim the series victory ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. 

Gautam Gambhir offered prayers at the renowned temple amidst the crowded place as he made his way into the middle of the temple with people standing in queue to get a glimpse of the former Indian opening batter. He has been under pressure due to the national side’s performance in the ODI series, having lost the series against the Blackcaps by a 2-1 margin while facing South Africa at the end of 2025.

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Notably, Gambhir was also present at Ujjain’s Mahakaleshwar Temple on January 16 when the Suryakumar Yadav-led side featured in the decider at the Holkar Stadium in Indore during the ODI series, which they eventually went on to lose.

Gautam Gambhir offers blessings to Kamakhya Temple before IND vs NZ T20I

India blew away the Kiwis in the opening clash of the five T20Is in Nagpur, where they posted a massive score of 238 runs for the loss of seven wickets before restricting the Blackcaps to 190 and earning a victory by 48 runs. This series is a strong preparation ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.

Watch the video here: 

VIDEO | Head Coach Gautam Gambhir seeks blessings at Kamakhya Devi Temple ahead of 3rd T20I in Guwahati.

(Full VIDEO available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/CdSwuItz6k

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 25, 2026

In the second game in Raipur, the visitors developed their batting performance and collected a strong first-innings score of 208 runs for the loss of six wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Meanwhile, they also got the hosts two down for six runs in the second over.

But what happened from thereon was jaw-dropping. At the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur, Ishan Kishan clubbed a fine knock of 76 runs in 32 balls at a strike rate of 237.50, thanks to 11 fours and four sixes, while captain Suryakumar Yadav remained unbeaten on 82 runs in 37 balls to complete the chase by seven wickets.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has strongly supported India coach Gautam Gambhir by calling him “the man with the toughest job after the Prime Minister” after their meeting in Nagpur on Wednesday. Tharoor’s comments were made just before the first T20I of the five-match series against New Zealand at the New VCA Stadium, where he acknowledged the enormous pressure that comes with leading the Indian cricket team.

Tharoor, who shared a photo from their interaction on X, called Gambhir an old friend and commended his ability to remain calm amidst tireless public scrutiny. The senior parliamentarian exclaimed, “He is being second-guessed by millions daily but stays calm and walks on undaunted,” lauding Gambhir’s nice struggle and leadership during a time when Indian cricket is under the spotlight.

Gambhir, who has been under constant criticism since assuming the role of head coach, graciously replied to Tharoor’s post. He thanked Gambhir for the support and hinted at the misconceptions regarding a coach’s power by saying that the perception of him having “unlimited power” is quite the opposite. He also found it funny that he has been depicted as working against his own players, many of whom he referred to as “the very best.”

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Endorsement underscores the pressure and resilience that come with India’s coaching role

Ever since taking on the role, Gambhir has been held accountable in most cases for the controversial decisions through the selection of teams to the supposed persecution of senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The criticism directed at Gambhir has been fueled by India’s mixed results in Tests and ODIs, and memes along with personal attacks have often been the way through which social media has targeted him.

Thanks a lot Dr @ShashiTharoor! When the dust settles, truth & logic about a coach’s supposedly “unlimited authority” will become clear. Till then I’m amused at being pitted against my own who are the very best! https://t.co/SDNzLt73v5

— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) January 21, 2026

Under these circumstances, Tharoor’s support is not only important but also a very timely one for Team India, that the T20I series against New Zealand is going to be a major preparation for the T20 World Cup 2026. The first match has been an encouraging start with India winning by a very convincing 48 runs in Nagpur.

The public support from Tharoor, who is a well-known figure, is quite rare in the midst of all the noise for Gambhir, it being the very point that leadership in Indian cricket demands resilience as much as results.

Gautam Gambhir began as India's men’s National Cricket Team Head Coach in July 2024 when he took over from Rahul Dravid; this was the beginning of a new era for the country. Although during this period there have been many successes with the Indian team winning important events within white-ball cricket events under him, the side has not performed consistently in the Bilateral Tests and ODIs. While the available talent within the Indian team are many and demonstrate great depth, India continues to be inconsistent overseas and has lost its dominance at home in these two longer formats of the game. As a result of all the above information, Gambhir's strategies and methods as a coach have been heavily scrutinised with many mixed opinions on such things as selections, bowling plans and batting orders primarily in red-ball cricket games.

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Since Gambhir became coach of the Indian men’s National Cricket Team, they've suffered a total of six series losses in all formats by January 2026, at both home and away; as a result of the many losses, they have received much media, analyst and fan discussion about the Indian team being inconsistent throughout the Tests and ODIs. There needs to be greater consistency demonstrated, particularly in regard to selection policies and plans for bowling and batting adjustments when needed for red-ball formats. The table below shows the Opponents, Results and Grounds of each Series Lost by India during Gautam Gambhir's coaching tenureship.

Series India Lost Under Gambhir (Summary)

Breakdown of Each Series Defeat

Home Series Losses

1. Test vs New Zealand (2024)
India suffered a rare 3‑0 home Test whitewash against New Zealand. This was their first home Test series defeat in over a decade and highlighted vulnerabilities in red‑ball batting and bowling.

2. Test vs South Africa (2025)
Against South Africa, India lost the two‑match Test series 2–0 at home. This marked a significant low for India in Test cricket, with both defeats featuring comprehensive performances by the visitors.

3. ODI vs New Zealand (2026)
In a tightly contested ODI series on home soil, India lost 2–1 to New Zealand, marking the first time in years that Indian conditions did not yield a home ODI series win.

Away Series Losses

1. ODI vs Sri Lanka (2024)
Gambhir’s first major assignment was an ODI series in Sri Lanka. India lost 2–0, ending a long‑standing dominance in this format in Sri Lankan conditions.

2. Test vs Australia (2024‑25)
India lost the Border‑Gavaskar Trophy 3–1 on Australian soil, despite winning the first Test. This was India’s first Test series defeat to Australia in a decade and represented a key setback in red‑ball cricket.

3. ODI vs Australia (2025)
In the white‑ball leg on the same tour, India lost the ODI series 2–1, dropping crucial matches in unfamiliar overseas conditions.

What the Series Losses Reveal

India has demonstrated their prowess in one-day cricket - both limited overs and Twenty20 International Cricket - by remaining unbeaten in T20 International matches, and by winning multiple International Cricket Council (ICC) trophies with Gautam Gambhir as captain of the national team. However, their performances have not been as impressive as it relates to the team’s Test and One-Day International (ODI) records.

The poor results in the team’s Test and ODI formats have generated much discussion, as there have been several concerning trends regarding India’s inability to play well in Tests, due to the fact that India suffered the first home Test whitewash in decades last season, and it has been nearly thirty years since India lost a home ODI series to the nation of Sri Lanka, which is a historic event.

Under Gambhir’s leadership, the Indian team has also experienced poor performances with regards to batting in critical situations. In the home Tests, the batting unit has been bowled out multiple times for very low scores, which is unusual in their history. These events have prompted a lot of discussion surrounding Gambhir’s coaching style and the need for the Indian team to take a closer look at their Strategic Plan for future ICC Tournaments (ODI and T20 World Cups and Tests) and their upcoming tours to play red-ball cricket.

Even with the recent losses to Sri Lanka, the future schedule for India’s national team is filled with narrow-margin assignments that may prove to define Gautam Gambhir’s position as coach. There will be a Test series against England, as well as the ICC Tournaments. Therefore, should India perform well in these events, it may be able to shift some of the negative perceptions that have been held against Gambhir, especially if results improve in Test cricket. For the time being, however, the fact that Gambhir has lost six series’ while in charge remains a significant topic of conversation around team leadership, coaching strategies and overall direction.

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir welcomed Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya with a warm hug and a big smile ahead of the five-match T20I series against New Zealand. The two players were rested for the recent three-match ODI series and are now set to play an important role in the team’s T20 plans, including the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Gautam Gambhir and other members of the Indian team joined the T20I squad in Nagpur as preparations began for the series opener on January 21. India missed Bumrah and Pandya during the ODI series, which New Zealand won to claim their first-ever series victory on Indian soil.

Gambhir and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak were seen smiling as they met the returning players during a practice session for the first T20I. After handshakes, hugs, and brief chats, the players returned to the nets while the coaches continued to watch the session.

Watch the video here:

Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Shivam Dube meet Gautam Gambhir during a practice session in Nagpur ahead of the IND vs NZ 1st T20I. pic.twitter.com/ASagEuEv5Q

— Sonu (@Cricket_live247) January 19, 2026

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Team India under pressure after ODI setback

Gautam Gambhir has returned to the T20I setup after a difficult run with the ODI team against New Zealand. Under his tenure, India suffered their third bilateral ODI series defeat as the Blackcaps outplayed the hosts with clear wins in Rajkot and Indore to complete a strong comeback.

Despite pressure in the longer formats, Gambhir’s record in T20Is remains strong. Under his leadership, India has lost only four T20I matches, won six straight bilateral series, and lifted the 2025 Asia Cup.

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Fans unhappy after ODI series loss

Team India has faced heavy criticism following the ODI series defeat. Fans in the stadiums and on social media have questioned Gambhir’s decisions, especially after recent poor results and his handling of senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

Some supporters also mocked the team management’s claims of progress despite weak results. Captain Shubman Gill’s ODI record is being compared with Sanju Samson’s performances in domestic 50-over tournaments. The selectors are also under fire for choosing Gill over Samson.

With this 2-1 result, New Zealand won an ODI series in India for the first time in 37 years. Along with their 3-0 Test series whitewash last year, it shows that Indian cricket is not in a happy place just over a year before the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir paid a visit to the renowned Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain on Friday ahead of the IND vs NZ 3rd ODI. Gambhir attended the Bhasma Aarti and offered prayers at one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, according to media reports. Several videos of him at the temple are surfacing on social media platforms.

The former India cricketer expressed his satisfaction about the arrangements made for devotees, and he wishes to come back again soon. "The arrangements were great, and the darshan was smooth, and I am confident that I will return soon," the India head coach said after offering prayers.

Gambhir's visit to Mahakaleshwar Temple was ahead of the third match of the ongoing three-match ODI series. Team India started the series on a positive note but could not hold the momentum and lost the very next match. As a result, before the third match of the contest, the scoreline is 1-1. The winner of the last match will claim the series. The next match will be played on January 18 at the Holkar Stadium in Indore.

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Watch Gautam Gambhir at the Mahakaleshwar temple

Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh: Indian cricket team coach Gautam Gambhir visited Mahakaleshwar Temple on Friday and attended the Bhasma Aarti of Baba Mahakal.

(Video Source: Mahakal Mandir) pic.twitter.com/PSlf2q5F1z

— IANS (@ians_india) January 16, 2026

In the previous match in Rajkot, India put up a competitive total of 284 for 7 wickets in 50 overs, batting first. KL Rahul's elegant century helped the team to secure the total on the scoreboard. New Zealand won the match by 7 wickets with 15 balls to spare. 

Daryl Mitchell remained unbeaten for 131 runs off 117 balls. Will Young's well-composed 87 also helped the visiting team to claim the win for them. For the final match of the series, the Indian team management is expected to make some changes in the bowling attack. After the conclusion of the ODI series, India will play a T20I series as well with the Blackcaps. 

'Why is Arshdeep Singh not playing?' It was a common question among many Indian cricket fans as the team played two ODIs against New Zealand without including the proven pacer in the playing eleven. While fans are searching for the answer to that question, a video has gone viral on social media platforms where Arshdeep Singh was captured trying to make head coach Gautam Gambhir happy. 

The viral video shows a moment of Team India's practice session with Gautam Gambhir in the middle. Arshdeep Singh, a pacer, standing in front of Gambhir, was showing his imaginary batting skills to the coach. The video looks funnier and more significant mostly because of the caption. "Arshdeep Singh tries to impress Gautam Gambhir... Shadow batting looks like full power. Bro, try to show him he's not just death over the king with the ball but also with the bat." 

In recent times, the Indian team management has shown their love mostly for the all-rounders. Whether it was Harshit Rana or Nitish Kumar Reddy or Washington Sundar, they are currently considered as the all-rounders. But in the past, they were mostly known for their bowling skills only. As the criteria for selection in the national team have shifted, bowlers are trying to develop their batting skills as well. Maybe for this particular reason Arshdeep Singh also was showing the coach that he can also add value with the bat. 

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Watch the video of Arshdeep Singh's 

Arshdeep Singh try to impress gautam Gambhir 🤣
Shadow batting look like full power Bro try to show him he's not just death-over king with ball but also with bat 🔥 pic.twitter.com/DWc3tlUSEP

— Aditya Saundarya 🏹 (@Kuch_lafz_) January 14, 2026

India started off the ongoing three-match ODI series against South Africa with a win but lost the winning momentum as soon as they lost in the very next game in Saurashtra. With Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, and Prasidh Krishna as the front-line pacers, and Nitish Kumar Reddy as the fourth seamer in the match, India failed to protect their total of 284. After which, fans are raising their voices for Arshdeep Singh.

Singh was in good rhythm during the domestic matches with Punjab and took multiple wickets during the India vs. South Africa series as well. During the 2 matches for Punjab, the pacer picked up a total of 7 wickets, showing his class in the game. 

Sitanshu Kotak, the batting coach for India, has strongly denied any allegations regarding a loss of communication between the senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as well as the team management. He has highlighted that communication has been open, consistent, and clear between the players and management. Kotak indicated that there are no areas of friction that exist within the group, and that the management continues to be in regular contact with all senior players to ensure that each player understands their role, the team's expectations, and general plans for the team.

The concern over a potential communication breakdown arose when Rohit and Kohli stepped down from Test cricket to allow Shubman Gill to take over as captain of the ODI team. In addition, news articles stated that members of the BCCI had met with senior players during the tour of South Africa in an attempt to resolve perceived issues surrounding the relationship between senior players and selectors. In response to this situation, Kotak has fully refuted claims of there being a "rift" between the players, the selectors, and the leadership group, emphasising that everyone involved is working together in complete unison.

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“They discuss with Gautam (Gambhir) about ODI formats, about the matches we have, and our plans going (ahead) to South Africa (World Cup in 2027). Most of the time I’m there and if I’m listening. They definitely share the experience and I always see them talking. Obviously, in social media, you see a lot of things which I try to avoid seeing. They are thorough professionals. So I don’t think they need to be saying they need to do this or that. In fact, the amount of experience they have, they can share a lot of ideas with other players and they do discuss,” said Kotak as quoted by The Indian Express.

They definitely make plans: Kotak

Kotak confirmed that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have already had detailed conversations with head coach Gautam Gambhir regarding their future plans. However, the team management has deliberately refrained from making any public comments, while the selection committee is also taking a measured approach without rushing decisions. Regardless of the uncertainty, both veterans have delivered outstanding performances. Since the South Africa series, Kohli has struck two centuries and three fifties, while Rohit has looked in fine rhythm since the Australia tour, registering three half-centuries and a century.

“See, both of them are so senior and so experienced. They definitely make plans. They want to practice at all the venues. If they feel they need to, they’ll go a couple of days in advance. They practice because they both also have been such outstanding players for India. Planning-wise and all, they are brilliant. They know what they need to do. They know what their body needs, not only batting, even fitness, whatever requirements they have,” said Kotak.