Gautam Gambhir's position as the head coach of the Indian cricket team is under increasing scrutiny following a string of disappointing performances in Test cricket. After a demoralizing defeat in the first Test against England at Headingley, questions are being raised about his leadership and strategic decisions. Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has publicly stated that Gambhir is under immense pressure to deliver results, particularly in the ongoing Test series against England.

Since taking over as head coach in July 2024, Gambhir has experienced a mixed bag of results. While he has found success in white-ball cricket, including guiding India to victory in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, his tenure in Test matches has been less than satisfactory. In nine Test matches under his guidance, India has suffered seven losses and managed only a single win. This includes a 3-0 whitewash against New Zealand and a 3-1 series defeat against Australia.

The recent loss to England in the first Test, where India failed to defend a target of 371 despite scoring over 800 runs in the match, has further amplified the concerns surrounding Gambhir's coaching abilities. Chopra emphasized that Gambhir's future as the head coach in Test cricket is in serious jeopardy if the team fails to perform well in the current series against England. He stated that the selectors have provided Gambhir with the desired team and resources, and therefore, there are no excuses for not delivering results.

One of the major criticisms against Gambhir has been his tactical approach and in-game interventions. During England's successful chase at Headingley, the field placements appeared passive, and there were no visible adjustments from the dressing room to counter Ben Duckett's aggressive batting. This lack of proactive decision-making has led to questions about Gambhir's ability to influence the game from the sidelines.

Team selection has also come under scrutiny, particularly the decision to leave out Kuldeep Yadav, India's second-most effective bowler, in favor of seamers like Shardul Thakur and Prasidh Krishna, who failed to make a significant impact. According to reports, Jasprit Bumrah may miss the second Test as part of workload management. Gambhir has defended the team's bowling attack, but the Headingley collapse exposed the lack of depth beyond Bumrah.

Despite the challenges, Gambhir remains optimistic about the team's potential. He has emphasized the importance of workload management and has backed the team's raw bowling attack to deliver. However, with the pressure mounting and the series against England hanging in the balance, Gambhir needs to turn things around quickly to secure his position as the head coach of the Indian cricket team. The second Test at Edgbaston will be a crucial test of his leadership and strategic acumen.