Gautam Gambhir’s Coaching Philosophy

Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir recently shared insights into his coaching mindset, emphasizing the significance of first-class cricket. Speaking to Sony Sports Network during India’s five-Test series in England, Gambhir highlighted that first-class cricket is the “most important format” for him. This statement underscores his commitment to nurturing talent through traditional formats, which he believes are crucial for the team’s development.

Transition and Team Culture

In a conversation with former teammate Cheteshwar Pujara, now a commentator, Gambhir discussed the ongoing transition within the Indian cricket team across all departments. He stressed the importance of growth, learning, and daily competition. According to Gambhir, representing India is about fighting every day and prioritizing the team’s success over individual recognition. He stated, “Gautam Gambhir is not important. Indian cricket is important.” This reflects his belief that every opinion about the team’s dressing room culture is valuable and should be considered.

Balancing Family and Professional Commitments

Gambhir also touched upon the role of family in a professional athlete’s life. He recently returned to India to support his ailing mother before the first Test at Leeds. Despite acknowledging the importance of family, he emphasized that players must remain focused on their purpose while representing their country. For Gambhir, every day presents an opportunity to switch on and contribute to Indian cricket.

Challenges in Test Cricket

While Gambhir has achieved success as a white-ball coach, including winning the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, his Test coaching record has been less impressive. Under his leadership, India suffered a 0-3 home series defeat to New Zealand and lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to Australia with a 1-3 series loss away from home. These setbacks prevented India from securing a third consecutive appearance in the ICC World Test Championship final. Currently, India’s Test record under Gambhir stands at four wins out of 12 matches, with seven losses and one draw.