Gautam Gambhir stepped in as India’s head coach back in July 2024 with a clear goal: build a bold, winning team across all formats. It worked wonders in white-ball cricket – just look at the trophies. But in Tests, things went south fast, hitting one of the roughest patches in years. India’s red-ball game, once rock-solid, especially at home, started crumbling. Now, the BCCI’s quietly shifting gears without firing Gambhir outright.
This move feels right because Tests define India’s cricket soul. Home losses piled up, and fans felt the pain. Let’s break it down simply.
Numbers That Hit Hard
Under Gambhir, India played 19 Tests by early 2026. Wins: just 7. Losses: 10. Draws: 2. That’s a win rate of about 37% – way below what India fans expect from their team.
The real shocker? Home soil. India dropped five home Tests in under two years. That matches the total home defeats from the whole previous decade. Ouch.
Historic Lows That Shook Everyone
New Zealand handed India a 0-3 whitewash at home in 2024 – first in 12 years, and India’s first-ever home clean sweep. Then South Africa followed with a 0-2 series win in 2025, including a brutal 408-run thrashing in Guwahati.
Remember that 46 all out against New Zealand in Bengaluru? India’s lowest home Test score ever. Not a fluke – a sign of bigger troubles brewing.
Gambhir’s Style Clashed with Tests
Gambhir pushes aggression, fast results, and constant pressure. Great for T20s or ODIs where momentum swings decide games. Tests need patience – batting long sessions, wearing down bowlers, even settling for draws.
People close to the game whisper about odd picks, batting order flip-flops, and leaning too hard on all-rounders. The team seemed rushed, missing the grind. No World Test Championship final spot for the first time? That sealed the doubts.
Why Ditch Gambhir for Tests Only?
Not sacking him – smartly splitting roles. With T20 World Cup 2026 looming, Gambhir’s split focus hurts Tests. Let him nail white-ball wins. Give red-ball a specialist touch.
VVS Laxman Steps In Perfectly
Laxman’s a Test legend – think technique, cool head, endless prep. From his playing days to running the Centre of Excellence, he gets Indian pitches, tough tours abroad, and the mental grind.
BCCI looping him into red-ball camps isn’t PR. It’s fixing what’s broken. Laxman brings back smart, process-focused cricket over quick fixes.
Shubman Gill Leads the Charge
Captain Gill’s speaking up. He wants 15-day Test camps before series – admits prep fell short. His 754 runs in England show promise, and he’s pushing back on packed schedules. Pair him with Laxman? Gold.
What’s Next for India’s Tests?
Sri Lanka and New Zealand series ahead aren’t just games – they’re tests for the new setup. Australia’s five-Test tour in 2027 looms large. Tight timeline, but this shift buys time.
It’s not anti-Gambhir. Tests need a steady hand, not multi-format juggling. India adapts quick – that’s why they dominate.
A Smart Fix, Not a Drama
Cricket loves stories, but this feels real. Gambhir’s Test stats don’t cut it for India’s level. Leaning on Laxman admits the truth: red-ball needs its own path. Get this right, and India’s back on top – World Test Championship final, here we come.
