Gautam Gambhir has had a stumbling start in Test cricket as India’s head coach. On June 24, he was handed his 7th defeat in the longest format. Having taken over exactly a year ago, Gambhir has excelled in white-ball cricket. In T20Is he’s lost just 2 matches out of 15. His start in ODIs wasn’t that great either but he’s since won the Champions Trophy.
However, Gambhir’s got a stinking Test resume so far. Under him, India was whitewashed for the first time in Test history at home and failed to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a decade. There have been more lows than highs during his 12-month stint in Test cricket.
The pitchforks are out for him. But not everyone thinks Gambhir should be judged just yet. Recently, Monty Panesar spoke exclusively to InsideSport, where he shared his opinion on Gautam Gambhir as India’s head coach.
Gambhir should be given time to develop the Test team
Everyone knows India’s Test team is in transition. Therefore, the former left-arm spinner thinks he should be given leeway. He’s leading a young side into England. More than half of the squad haven’t played a Test in England. Some haven’t even made their debuts.
“He’s in a unique position. He’s actually starting with a new team. You are building a new side in conditions that are not favouring this Indian team. They are going to England on pitches that won’t be spinning but on swing and seam conditions. It’s more likely that India will lose the series because of the conditions and a young team. But you never know; they may win or there may be close matches,” Panesar told InsideSport.
INSIDESPORT EXCLUSIVE MONTY PANESAR BACKS GAUTAM GAMBHIR “Gautam Gambhir should be given atleast 12-18 months to develop this young Test squad. Gambhir is without the likes of Kohli and Sharma. You can not expect him to win the Test series against England without… pic.twitter.com/sKQkPOPHDS
— InsideSport (@InsideSportIND) June 27, 2025The Englishman thinks Gambhir should be given about one and a half years before judging his performance. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin have retired from Test cricket in the last 6 months or so. Therefore, you can’t expect Gambhir to do well with a new captain in Shubman Gill, especially in England.
“I believe Gautam Gambhir should be given at least 12-18 months to develop and nurture this young Test team. And then review how he’s done as a coach. If he had Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli playing on this tour, then it is very much about India winning the Test series because they got experience in the team. But they don’t have the experience at the moment.”
When should we start questioning his performance as India’s head coach? “In 12 months’ time, where will this Indian team be, and has Gautam Gambhir done a good job?” says Panesar.
Exclusive | Gautam Gambhir should be given 12-18 months: Monty Panesar backs India coach despite poor Test record Inside Sport India.
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