India head coach Gautam Gambhir, who took charge of the Indian test team in July 2024, has faced considerable criticism after a turbulent run in the longest format of the game.
From being vulnerable at home on turning pitches to being susceptible to the moving ball in foreign conditions, India has been badly exposed time and again under Gambhir’s tutelage.
Losing to New Zealand (0-3), Australia (1-3), and South Africa (0-2) has only made matters worse.
Gambhir’s lowest moment was perhaps when India were whitewashed in home series twice in the last two years – against New Zealand and South Africa. If that was not enough, India lost their first Test series at home against the Proteas in 25 years.
Speaking before the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo, Gambhir rejected the suggestion that India was struggling.
“Rankings do not matter. We are not struggling. Since the England tour, we have played reasonable Test cricket,” Gambhir said.
Asked about the criticism directed at him, Gambhir offered a characteristically blunt response.
“Criticism? My job is to win trophies. That’s all I believe in and care for. That is the difference between me and everyone. I don’t care about views or likes.”
Despite beating Sri Lanka by a huge margin of 165 runs in the opening Test, India ranks fifth in the World Test Championship standings, behind Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and Bangladesh.
Gambhir was also asked about his interaction with the chairman of the selection committee, Ajit Agarkar.
“It’s only about how we want to move forward within cricket, what is important, and what the right decisions are to make for betterment within cricket. So probably it’s only around cricket now, how we see it in the game going forward.”