Due to India’s recent Test series defeats, Gautam Gambhir, who became head coach on July 10, 2024, following Rahul Dravid’s departure following the T20 World Cup victory in June 2024, has been under increased scrutiny.
Gambhir was given a three-and-a-half-year term, which is expected to extend until the 2027 South Africa ODI World Cup. The team has faced home whitewashes against South Africa and New Zealand in addition to losing white-ball series versus England and Ireland.
Former India spinner Amit Mishra has offered insight into Gautam Gambhir’s early months in the role by drawing a direct comparison to his predecessor’s experience. Mishra stressed that coaches require a period of adjustment in order to establish authority and implement strategy in all formats.
“The coach finds it difficult. I believe that players should be more accountable. For years, it has been common practice to have a single coach for every format. “You have to give time to any coach,” Mishra stated in an interview with the Times of India. We have inexperienced rookie players in Test matches. “Coaches and players need time to grow,” he continued.
Why it will take Gautam Gambhir longer to get recognition
Amit Mishra underlined that Dravid, who took over for Ravi Shastri in 2021, was slow to provide results. The former spinner stated that the wait between appointment and performance improvement was a typical part of the coaching transition process. He underlined that in addition to their coach’s tactical expertise growth, the current team consists of inexperienced Test players who need coaching.
Rahul Dravid needed one to one and a half years to make a name for himself. After then, performance got better. Amit Mishra stated, “You are chosen from 140-145 crore people; you have to adapt according to the wicket and situation. Players need to take responsibility and understand the wicket’s behaviour.” You’re playing at the top because of this. “I don’t think the coach should be held accountable,” he continued.
Players have a shared responsibility to perform.
Amit Mishra detailed the strange demands placed on Gambhir in his early career, particularly in Test cricket when the team’s composition has altered. He explained that while talent development and mental preparation are part of a coach’s responsibility, players on the pitch are ultimately in charge of execution.
“Give him (Gautam Gambhir) time in red-ball,” the former spinner said, using his own playing history as an example of how players must bear pressure and adjust independently to changing situations. He must provide new players (in the squad) an explanation.
Players must play, but a coach’s responsibility is to work on cerebral aspects and skills. “You have to take stress, understand,” Amit remarked. “Players did it in our time.” You must take your time and adjust to the player, bowler, wicket, and circumstances. Players must assume greater accountability. Players must execute, but a coach’s role is to direct and plan,” he continued.
India must win seven of the nine remaining games in the current World Test Championship cycle to move on to the 2025–2027 final. Due to the team’s recent performance, there is more pressure on the players and coaching staff to defy expectations and demonstrate the advancement Mishra said would occur following Gambhir’s installation time.
