After India won the T20 World Cup in 2024, Rahul Dravid stepped down. VVS Laxman filled in as an interim coach for the T20I series in Zimbabwe that we won 4-1. Then Gautam Gambhir officially took over for the tour of Sri Lanka. It seemed to be a dawn of a new age for Indian cricket. The man who had been part of the 2007 and 2011 T20I and ODI World Cup wins respectively was becoming our coach. Just some months back, his coaching had helped KKR win the IPL for a third time and the first time in 10 years.

Team India’s Horror Show Under Gautam Gambhir

But it proved to be a false dawn. Things began to go from bad to worse in a matter of months. Team India sunk to new depths that one could not believe. Not only were we ineffective abroad but we were faltering at home too. Yes, Gambhir played an important role in winning the Champions Trophy and Asia Cup in 2025, but they were just occasional blips of brilliance in a span of poor form.

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Gautam Gambhir Accused of Ousting Seniors

Right now, it is not a good time to be Gautam Gambhir. The man is already under the scanner as being responsible for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s Test retirements. Ravichandran Ashwin is believed to have left international cricket because of him and that too midway through an overseas tour. Not to mention the fact that people feel Gambhir was the one who influenced chief selector Ajit Agarkar to replace Rohit with Shubman Gill as ODI skipper and that too when Rohit had just won an ICC title. Gill also took Rohit’s place as Test captain. Another decision that Gambhir is believed to have had a hand in. He has also been accused of wanting to edge Rohit and Kohli out of the ODI side.

Cricketing Reasons Not to Like Gautam Gambhir as a Coach

Now of course, this is just speculation and hating or loving him for it depends on personal outlook. But if one looks at cricketing reasons alone, there are enough reasons to dislike Gambhir as a coach. The list is long with as many as 10 reasons to not be a fan of Gambhir since he took charge in mid 2024. Let’s take a look:

1. 1st Bilateral ODI Series Loss vs Sri Lanka Since 1997

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India lost 2-0 to Sri Lanka in 2024 in the latter's backyard and it was the first time in many years that they lost a bilateral ODI series to the islanders.

2. 1st Winless Calendar Year in ODIs Since 1979

In 2024, India played three ODIs of which they lost two and tied one. There were no wins. The last time India did not win a single ODI in a calendar year was 45 years before that.

3. 1st Home Test Loss vs New Zealand Since 1988

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New Zealand hammered India by eight wickets in Bengaluru in 2024 to win their first Test on Indian soil after 36 years.

4. 1st-Ever Home Test Series Loss vs New Zealand

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India went down by 113 runs to New Zealand in Pune in 2024 and that too inside three days to surrender the series. It was the first time India had lost a home Test series to New Zealand.

5. 1st Test Whitewash at Home Since 2000

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The Mumbai Test also ended in three days in 2024 with New Zealand winning by 25 runs to inflict a 3-0 whitewash on India. It was India's 1st whitewash on home soil since losing 2-0 to South Africa 25 years back.

6. 1st Home Test Series Loss Since 2012

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The moment India went 2-0 down vs New Zealand in the three-match Test series in 2024, they lost their first at home since England beat them 2-1 12 years ago. Between these two series losses, India had won 18 straight home Test series which remains a world record to this day by some margin.

7. 1st Test Series Loss vs Australia Since 2015

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India lost in Sydney by six wickets on the third day to Australia in 2025 for the hosts to clinch the series 3-1. It was a series loss in Tests to Australia after 10 years that saw India win their last four Test series including two Down Under.

8. 1st Home Test Loss vs South Africa Since 2010

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South Africa bundled India out to win by 31 runs on Day 3 in Kolkata in 2025. This was India's first Test loss at home to the Proteas after going down in Nagpur 15 years before.

9. 1st Home Test Series Loss vs South Africa Since 2000

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India were humbled by 408 runs in 2025 in Guwahati as South Africa won their 1st Test series in India after 25 years.

10. 1st-Ever Home ODI Series Loss vs New Zealand

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Last, but not the least, India surrendered a 1-0 lead to lose the series 2-1 in 2026. This was New Zealand's 1st ODI series win in India.