Gautam Gambhir Under Pressure to Deliver as Head Coach After Poor Test Run

New Delhi: Former India opener Aakash Chopra has sounded a strong warning to Team India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir, stating that with the kind of control and freedom he has been given by the selectors, it’s now time for him to deliver results—no excuses.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra said that although Gambhir guided India to a Champions Trophy victory in 2025, his record in Test cricket has been underwhelming since taking over as head coach last year. India has managed to win only three out of 11 Tests during his tenure—two against Bangladesh and one against Australia—while suffering several humiliating losses, including a historic home whitewash and a 3-1 defeat in Australia.

The pressure has only intensified following India’s five-wicket loss in the first Test against England in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, which has put India on the backfoot in the five-match series. “There is a lot of pressure on Gautam Gambhir,” Chopra said, adding that the coach has received full support from selectors, getting “every player he pointed at.”

“If the series doesn’t go well, there will be big questions. Where are they going and what are they doing? The team management is getting everything it wants—player types, squad sizes, specific individuals. In return, they must now deliver. Period,” Chopra emphasized.

While India’s performance in white-ball cricket has remained strong under Gambhir’s leadership, Chopra believes that his Test track record is raising alarms, and this series against England could be a decisive moment in his coaching tenure.

Chopra also pointed out that Gambhir has firm control over the team, with no senior figures or high-profile coaches around to influence decisions. He has also reportedly implemented strict rules governing player conduct and family time, moves that have drawn some off-field criticism.

A major loss in this England series would severely dent India’s chances of reaching the World Test Championship final, especially after narrowly missing out last time. With expectations running high and the stakes even higher, the pressure is squarely on Gambhir to prove that the freedom he’s been given can translate into results on the field.