Gautam Gambhir’s Future as Team India’s Coach to Be Decided After Champions Trophy 2025

The role of Gautam Gambhir as the head coach of Team India will depend on how well the Rohit Sharma-led team does in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Gambhir took over as head coach of India after India's victory in the T20 World Cup 2024, replacing Rahul Dravid. At that time, India was on top of its game, but since then, the team’s performance has been quite poor. Gambhir has not been able to produce the desired outcomes, and several issues have surfaced both on and off the field. However, it is now reported that the ICC Champions Trophy will be Gambhir's last test as head coach.

Gautam Gambhir has faced more setbacks than achievements since becoming head coach of Team India. India lost in Sri Lanka in an ODI series for the first time in 27 years. This history, New Zealand made, sweeping a Test series in India, the first team to do so this century. India also lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) for the first time since 2014/15 on their last tour. All these disappointings a far from Gambhir’s leadership.

“If India doesn’t do well in the Champions Trophy, the head coach’s position could become untenable. Yes, his contract runs till the 2027 World Cup but the process of evaluation continues. Sport is result-oriented and till now, Gambhir hasn’t given any tangible results,” a senior BCCI official told PTI, speaking anonymously.

Being a country with such talent, money, and resources, even one loss is a big matter of criticism. Now, when the team is losing several matches, the pressure is on Gambhir. BCCI official, speaking to PTI, says Gambhir’s position as head coach could become “untenable” if India doesn’t do well in the ICC Champions Trophy.

Tension in the Dressing Room? BCCI Holds Review Meeting

BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla has denied reports of a rift between captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir. However, there is still a thought that there might be some tension in the dressing room. This is why the BCCI held a BGT review meeting on January 11, with all key team members, including Rohit and Gambhir, in attendance.

The Rohit-Gambhir partnership has been unable to deliver the success for Team India. The team faced severe setbacks in losing a home Test series for the first time since 2012 against England after 18 successive series wins. It was also the second whitewash on home soil for India after it was first against South Africa in 2000.

The troubles continued with a loss to New Zealand in a home Test series, the first in 36 years, India also faced their first Test defeat in Bengaluru in 19 years. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy tour, both Rohit and Virat Kohli struggled with their form, and Gambhir’s tactical decisions didn’t produce the desired results.