 "Gautam Gambhir has lost 7 out of 10 Test matches he has coached so far. Image: PTI")
Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has said that Gautam Gambhir is under a lot of pressure as head coach of the Indian team, especially because of India’s poor performance in Test matches in recent times. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra pointed out that Gambhir doesn’t have a strong record in Test cricket and needs to do well in the second Test to silence the criticism.
Chopra warns Gambhir
Chopra said that while Gambhir’s performance in white-ball formats has been good, the real questions are going to be about the Test team. He further said that the selectors have been fully supporting the team management and giving them the players they are asking for. Chopra added that Gambhir must now deliver results to prove his credentials as a red-ball coach; otherwise, questions will be asked.
“There is a lot of pressure on Gautam Gambhir. The pressure is absolutely mounting. If you look at his performances in Test cricket and red-ball cricket, you will find that he has not won a lot of matches. He has won 2 matches against Bangladesh and one against Australia. However, we lost three against New Zealand, three against Australia and one against England. He has been losing and losing," Chopra said.
“His performance in white-ball cricket has been good. The team has been playing well. But in Test cricket, I think the questions are going to be there. And I think there is a lot of pressure on this series. If this series doesn’t go well, God forbid, I hope it goes well. I really want Indian cricket to do well. But if the England series doesn’t go too well, then there will be a question mark — Where are they going and what are they doing?" he added.
“Because the selectors feel that whatever team management is asking for, it is being given. The type of player you want, the number of players you want, and the player you are pointing at are being given. So, if this is the case, then you also need to deliver the results. Period. There is no excuse," Chopra concluded.
India lost the first Test against England at Headingley despite being ahead for most of the time. India dominated several patches of the game but allowed England to make a comeback everytime they were falling behind with both the bat and the ball. All eyes will now be on how the team responds in the second Test starting 2nd July in Edgbaston, Birmingham.