Gautam Gambhir has once again showcased his talent for achieving success, this time leading the Indian cricket team to victory in a new capacity as head coach. The former player, who played a pivotal role in India's victories at the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup, has added yet another ICC title to his distinguished record in his inaugural major white-ball coaching role. However, the path to triumph was not without its challenges. Prior to the tournament, questions arose regarding his coaching abilities, and speculation about a rift with captain Rohit Sharma gained momentum. Undaunted, Gambhir effectively silenced his critics, maintaining a steadfast focus on the ultimate goal.

Gambhir faced significant pressure when India finalized their squad for the Champions Trophy 2025. The selectors made the unconventional decision to include three fast bowlers and five spinners, leaving out notable players such as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Mohammed Siraj in favor of Kolkata Knight Riders’ Varun Chakaravarthy and Harshit Rana. This daring choice led to allegations of favoritism directed at the Indian head coach. Nevertheless, Gambhir’s risk paid off, as Harshit excelled in the first two matches, while Chakaravarthy found his rhythm in the third, effectively dismantling opponents with his spin throughout the tournament.

Taking charge of the Indian team, Gambhir arrived fresh from a successful mentoring role with KKR, coinciding with the Men in Blue's heightened confidence following their T20 World Cup win. However, his coaching tenure encountered an early setback with a 0-2 defeat in his first ODI series against Sri Lanka, casting a pall over the initial optimism. The situation worsened with a historic 0-3 home series loss to New Zealand, marking India’s first such defeat in over a decade. As the Indian batsmen struggled against spin, Gambhir’s preparation techniques and coaching methods faced intense scrutiny, attracting widespread criticism.

The pressure escalated during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Although India secured victory in the first Test, the team faltered under increasing pressure as the series unfolded, ultimately conceding the trophy with a 1-3 defeat—marking their first loss to Australia in a decade. Speculation arose that the Champions Trophy could be Gambhir’s last opportunity to solidify his position, yet he remained resolute in the face of external pressures, adhering to his audacious decision-making.

Gambhir's path to redemption commenced during the three-match ODI series against England. He made an unexpected choice by selecting Harshit over Arshdeep Singh for the playing XI, despite the latter's initial selection in the Champions Trophy squad. His decision to move KL Rahul down to number 6—a move many believed would backfire—while elevating Axar Patel to number 5, ultimately bolstered the batting order. Throughout this period, Gambhir continued to support Rahul as the wicketkeeper-batter, and the 32-year-old justified that trust by demonstrating his versatility and excelling in his dual role.

The Indian team commenced the Champions Trophy with impressive victories against Bangladesh and Pakistan. However, Gambhir and Rohit took a bold risk in the match against New Zealand, opting for an unconventional lineup that included four spinners. This gamble proved to be highly successful, as Chakaravarthy bewildered the batters, achieving a remarkable wicket haul on his Champions Trophy debut. Encouraged by this triumph, the team management decided to maintain this spin-heavy strategy for the knockout stages, a tactical move that proved crucial on the Dubai pitches.

Gambhir's coaching redemption far from complete

Gambhir has temporarily quieted his critics by securing an ICC title; however, his journey towards redemption is still ongoing, particularly in the realm of Test cricket, where his coaching has encountered significant scrutiny. His tactics and decisions during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy were met with skepticism, necessitating a reassessment of his strategy for the forthcoming five-match Test series against England this summer. While this series could represent a final opportunity for stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, it is equally crucial for Gambhir to initiate the new World Test Championship cycle with a robust performance. A failure to achieve this could compel the BCCI to consider implementing a split-coaching model for the first time.

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