Stat Check: Inside Head Coach Gautam Gambhir’s Troubling Test Run After India’s Headingley Defeat 

India’s campaign in the new era under Shubman Gill's leadership began with hope, batting themselves into a commanding position at the Headingley Test. Three centuries in the first innings and two more in the second had the team poised for a historic win. 

Yet, India once again surrendered a lead. They collapsed from a strong position in both innings. England completed a thrilling chase of 371 runs by five wickets, marking only the tenth highest successful run-chase in Test history. It was also the first time any side had scored five centuries in a Test and still lost.

Fielding lapses and toothless bowling proved costly. Jasprit Bumrah, India’s talisman, went wicketless in the second innings. Ben Duckett, who scored 149 runs, ran away with the match. A collective sense of disbelief was visible, and now India head into the rest of this England tour under mounting pressure.

Also read: IND vs ENG 2025: "Could Be 4-0" - Michael Vaughan Taunts Wasim Jaffer After India's Loss At Headingley

Gautam Gambhir’s Test Coaching Report Card

Since being appointed India’s head coach across formats in 2024, Gautam Gambhir’s red-ball record has come under increasing scrutiny. Since succeeding Rahul Dravid, Gambhir’s Test coaching tenure has seen India go downhill.

Gambhir’s stint began positively with a comprehensive 2-0 series win over Bangladesh at home. India dominated both matches expectedly.

However, the first shocker came in the form of a 0-3 whitewash by New Zealand at home. It was the first time that India has been whitewashed at home in a Test series of at least three matches. This was the first major red flag. In what was expected to be a routine home series, India collapsed spectacularly, getting whitewashed by New Zealand, something no Indian side had experienced in a home Test series.

This was followed by a 1-3 loss in the Border‑Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia, ending the run of dominance in Test Cricket Down Under. Australia reclaimed the BGT, and with that, India’s WTC 2025 final hopes took a major hit.

These results have coincided with historic lows: India’s first home Test defeat to New Zealand in 36 years, their lowest home Test score of 46.

The first Test versus England at Headingley could have been a defining moment for this team to turn the tide. Instead, it became a painful addition to the pattern of collapses. England pulled off a chase of 371 runs. India's bowlers went flat. Their fielders dropped sitters. Their captaincy looked reactive.

Tough Questions Loom for Gautam Gambhir Amid India’s Test Woes

With just three wins from eleven Tests, Gautam Gambhir’s coaching stint so far has lacked the steel. The manner of India's defeats has led to murmurs within the cricketing ecosystem about whether Gambhir has the temperament and tactical range to succeed in the red-ball cricket. 

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not made any public statements questioning Gambhir’s position, but history suggests that patience is short when results begin to unravel. With four Tests still to go in England, Gambhir has a narrow window to reverse the narrative. If the slide continues, India may be forced into yet another reboot.

Also read: "Why aren't you playing that kind of bowler?" - Saba Karim wants India to play Kuldeep Yadav in IND vs ENG 2nd Test