The pressure continues to mount on Team India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir following a disappointing defeat in the first Test IND vs ENG match at Headingley. Despite India posting five centuries, the England cricket team vs India national cricket team clash ended in a shocking five-wicket win for the hosts, exposing deeper issues within India’s Test setup.
📉 Aakash Chopra’s Blunt Assessment
Former cricketer and expert commentator Aakash Chopra didn’t mince words, stating, “Gautam Gambhir has been losing and losing…” His remarks come amid increasing scrutiny over India’s red-ball performances under Gambhir’s leadership.
“Despite historic highs in white-ball formats, India’s Test cricket under Gambhir has shown a concerning dip. Leadership and strategy are now under the scanner,” Chopra noted on his YouTube channel.
🧩 Gambhir’s Red-Ball Record: Cause for Concern?
Since officially taking charge as head coach in July 2024, Gambhir has led India in 11 Test matches, managing only 3 wins, with 7 losses and 1 draw. In contrast, his white-ball tenure boasts a Champions Trophy 2025 title and a staggering 90% win rate in T20Is.
Test Match Results Under Gambhir:
- ✅ Wins: 3 (2 vs Bangladesh, 1 vs Australia)
- ❌ Losses: 7
- ➖ Draw: 1
The ongoing ENG vs IND Test series has only added to the pressure. India trails 0-1 in the five-match contest and face an uphill task in the upcoming IND vs ENG 2nd Test at Edgbaston.
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🎯 Split Coaching: A Growing Demand?
Given the contrasting results across formats, there is rising chatter about adopting split coaching. Some experts believe Gambhir should continue with T20Is and ODIs, while someone like VVS Laxman could take charge of the India Test team.
However, this idea clashes with BCCI’s traditional stance. The board has historically been unreceptive to split roles, as seen with the rejection of split captaincy post-Virat Kohli’s T20I resignation in 2021.
Currently, Suryakumar Yadav leads T20Is, but only because he isn’t a regular in ODIs. A similar conditional approach seems to apply to Gambhir’s case.
🛑 No Immediate Threat to Gambhir’s Role
Despite the growing criticism, Gautam Gambhir’s position is not under threat. His contract runs through to the ICC World Cup 2027, and sources suggest that even a 0-5 whitewash in the IND vs ENG series wouldn’t lead to his removal.
“The BCCI still backs Gambhir. While Test losses hurt, his white-ball success holds significant weight,” a source told media.
📊 IND vs ENG Test Match – Statistical Recap
Despite scoring five centuries in the 1st Test, India lost—a rarity in Test cricket history. This has only intensified debate around leadership, bowling depth, and tactical errors.
Key Test Stats So Far:
- India’s Test record under Gambhir: 3W – 7L – 1D
- IND vs ENG 2025 Series: England leads 1-0
- Scorecard IND vs ENG at Headingley: England won by 5 wickets, chasing 373
📌 Final Thoughts
The England cricket team vs India national cricket team match scorecard may tell the tale of individual brilliance, but team cohesion and match-winning strategies are currently missing from India’s Test formula. As the IND vs ENG Test live action moves to Edgbaston, all eyes will be on Gambhir and his squad to stage a comeback.
For fans and fantasy players alike, don’t miss the latest IND vs ENG live action, Dream11 picks, and IND vs ENG test score updates across cricket portals.
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