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Since taking charge of the Indian team in July 2024, Gautam Gambhir has overseen some memorable triumphs, including three major white-ball titles. However, his tenure has also coincided with several historic setbacks across formats, many of which ended long-standing Indian records and unbeaten streaks.
The latest defeat against Ireland has once again put the spotlight on India's mixed results under the former opener, whose tenure has produced both extraordinary highs and unexpected lows.
India suffer first-ever international defeat against Ireland
India entered the Belfast T20I as overwhelming favourites but were comprehensively outplayed by Ireland, who registered their first-ever international victory over the Men in Blue.
Batting first, Ireland posted a competitive 182/9 in their 20 overs. Captain Lorcan Tucker led from the front with a 36-ball 50, while Gareth Delany smashed 49 off just 32 balls. The pair helped Ireland recover after an early wobble and set India a challenging target.
Harshit Rana was India's standout bowler, returning figures of 3/24, while Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel picked up two wickets each.
India's chase never really gathered momentum despite a blazing start from Abhishek Sharma. The left-hander smashed 49 off just 20 balls and looked set to take the game away from Ireland before being dismissed by Liam McCarthy.
Once Abhishek departed, Ireland tightened the screws. Debutants Matt Hollard and Jai Moondra starred with the ball, claiming three and two wickets respectively. India's middle order failed to build partnerships as wickets continued to fall at regular intervals.
The visitors were eventually bowled out for 148 in 18.5 overs, handing Ireland a famous 34-run victory. The result also came on a day when highly-rated youngster Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was left out of the playing XI despite widespread anticipation surrounding his international debut.
Every unwanted record India have set under Gautam Gambhir
The Ireland defeat is only the latest in a series of setbacks that have occurred during Gautam Gambhir's tenure as head coach.
India's struggles first became evident during the Sri Lanka tour in 2024 when they lost a bilateral ODI series to Sri Lanka for the first time in 27 years. The team also ended a calendar year without winning a single ODI for the first time in 45 years.
The red-ball format has witnessed even more concerning results. India lost a home Test to New Zealand for the first time in 36 years before suffering their first-ever home Test series defeat against the Black Caps. That series also saw India lose a home Test series for the first time in 12 years, lose back-to-back home Tests for the first time in 12 years and suffer three consecutive home Test defeats for the first time in 47 years.
The low point came when New Zealand completed a historic 3-0 whitewash, marking India's first-ever clean sweep in a home Test series.
Several other unwanted milestones followed. India were bowled out for under 50 runs at home for the first time, failed to chase a target below 200 at home for the first time and lost a Test at Wankhede after 12 years.
The team also lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after 10 years, suffered back-to-back Test series defeats for the first time in a decade and failed to qualify for the World Test Championship final for the first time.
Against South Africa, India endured another difficult chapter. They lost a home Test against the Proteas after 15 years and a home Test series against them after 25 years. India for the first time whitewashed in home Test series in back-to-back calendar years.
Among the other notable setbacks were conceding more than 600 runs in a Test innings for the first time in 11 years, allowing the highest target ever set by a visiting team in India (549), suffering their biggest Test defeat by runs (408), losing an ODI in Adelaide after 17 years and losing an international match at Eden Gardens after eight years.
The defeat in Belfast has now added another first to that list, India's maiden international loss against Ireland.
𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮 Under Gambhir
— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) June 26, 2026
- After 27yrs, Lost a Bilateral ODI Series vs SL
- For 1st time, Lost 30 Wickets in a 3 match ODI Series
- After 45yrs, India Remained Winless in a Calendar Year in ODIs
- After 36yrs, India Lost Test v NZ at Home
- After 19yrs, India Lost Test at… pic.twitter.com/F2YDQZMfEV
Despite setbacks, Gautam Gambhir has delivered major ICC success
While the unwanted records make for uncomfortable reading, Gautam Gambhir's tenure cannot be judged solely on those setbacks.
The former India opener was appointed head coach on July 9, 2024, after Rahul Dravid's tenure ended following India's triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Gautam Gambhir took charge during the Sri Lanka tour and quickly introduced a more aggressive approach to white-ball cricket. The strategy has yielded remarkable results on the global stage.
Under his leadership, India won the 2025 Asia Cup as well as the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
The biggest achievement came in 2026 when India lifted the ICC Men's T20 World Cup after thrashing New Zealand by 96 runs in the final. The triumph made Gautam Gambhir the first individual in history to win the Men's T20 World Cup both as a player and as a head coach.
Those successes have established Gautam Gambhir as one of India's most decorated white-ball coaches. However, the growing list of unwanted records shows that India's journey under Gautam Gambhir has been far from straightforward.
