Gautam Gambhir’s former IPL team owner plots his sacking as India head coach

Gautam Gambhir, after an illustrious run with the Kolkata Knight Riders, had moved to his former franchise, the Delhi Daredevils, before taking up a coaching role in the IPL. Now, the current Delhi-based franchise's owner, Parth Jindal, has urged for Gambhir's sacking from the role of Indian Head coach in Test cricket.

Gautam Gambhir has undoubtedly had a terrible run for India across formats. His strategies have often been criticised not only in the longest format of the game but also in the white-ball formats, where he has gotten results at times.

Though Gautam Gambhir turned all cocky and highlighted his success in the Champions Trophy and the Asia Cup, it is also to be kept in mind that he has suffered backlashes at times in white-ball cricket as well. Since taking over, he has won just one ODI series against England and has lost the other two against Sri Lanka and Australia.

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India only deteriorated in the last 12-13 months of Test cricket under Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir was the mentor of the IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders, who won the IPL back in 2024. India then went on to win the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, and Rahul Dravid decided to step down as their head coach.

Gautam Gambhir was the most fan-loved coach in the nation during that time, as he was called in to be the next Head coach of the Indian team. All his demands were met, as he wanted the likes of Morne Morkel as the bowling consultant and Ryan ten Doeschate as his assistant coach on the Indian side.

Despite all, India's performance has only been compromised under Gautam Gambhir's guidance. He has often made experiments and is yet to settle in with a final XI. In the last 12 months of cricket, India has lost three of their five Test series, two of which were at home.

India ended their 12-year-long undefeated streak at home with their first loss against New Zealand in 2024, and then with almost a year past, they repeated it against South Africa. They have lost against New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, with only a draw against England, earlier this year.

Parth Jindal urges for Gautam Gambhir's sacking and replacement

After India's latest 2-0 hammering against South Africa on their home turf, several Indian fans, analysts, and greats of the game have urged that Gambhir should step down from the Test format as the Indian head coach.

Gambhir's limited understanding and lack of depth in the Test format have made the calls for a new red-ball coach louder and stronger. One of the most prominent figures who has recently voiced against Gambhir is the Delhi Capitals and JSW Sports owner, Parth Jindal.

Jindal, through an X post, argued that the current Indian Test setup is capable of having the same success as in the past, but would need a specialist to care for and take them to such heights.

“Not even close, what a complete thrashing at home!” wrote Jindal on X in response to India’s 408-run loss to South Africa.

“Don’t remember seeing our test side being so weak at home!!! This is what happens when red ball specialists are not picked,” argued Jindal. “This team is nowhere near reflective of the deep strength we possess in the red ball format. Time for India to move to a specialist red-ball coach for Test cricket.”

Not even close, what a complete thrashing at home! Don’t remember seeing our test side being so weak at home!!!This is what happens when red ball specialists are not picked. This team is nowhere near reflective of the deep strength we possess in the red ball format. Time for…

— Parth Jindal (@ParthJindal11) November 26, 2025

Who can replace Gautam Gambhir as India's red-ball coach?

The BCCI has not shown any inclination towards swapping Gautam Gambhir and has rather stated that they will make no such decision in haste and would like to continue with the same management and players.

However, other than this, the most ideal option to replace Gambhir as India's next red-ball coach will be Rahul Dravid's former deputy, VVS Laxman, who, on several occasions, has served as the coach for the Indian team when the coach is busy with some other tour or addressing family issues.

VVS currently heads the National Cricket Academy in India. Other than him, there might also be options like former BCCI President Sourav Ganguly. Considering India's success with overseas coaches, the likes of Mahela Jayawardene and Tom Moody might also be taken into consideration, as they have all worked closely with many Indian players in the IPL.

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