With the Indian Test team going through one of its most turbulent phases in recent times, Gautam Gambhir has found himself under intense scrutiny. The head coach has endured a difficult stretch, highlighted by a 0-2 home Test defeat to South Africa and ODI series losses against Australia and New Zealand. While not everything during his tenure has gone wrong, India’s sharp decline in red-ball cricket has sparked concern, with the team currently placed fifth in the World Test Championship standings. Gambhir’s record is not without positives. Champions Trophy and Asia Cup triumphs have strengthened his standing, but the slide in Tests has overshadowed those successes. The 2-2 draw in England was expected to signal the dawn of the Shubman Gill-led era, yet two clean sweeps within a year have come as an unexpected blow. India are clearly in a phase of transition.

South Africa Test captain Temba Bavuma knows that journey well. He oversaw a similar rebuild during his early years as captain, and the long-term payoff is now evident, with South Africa reigning as World Test Champions. Bavuma believes Gambhir’s red-ball challenges are far from over. With only five Tests scheduled in 2026, including two in New Zealand, where India last won a series in 2009/10, the road ahead looks demanding. “When it comes to the red-ball stuff, India are definitely a team in transition. There is nothing unique about where India find themselves in Test cricket. India coach Gautam Gambhir has a lot of pressure on his shoulders, and I think he is going to have to take it as it comes. He is going to have to find a way to buy himself time in the red-ball game, and I’m of the view that the performances in white-ball cricket may assist him,” Bavuma wrote in his column for ESPNCricinfo. Bavuma pointed out that India’s depth in limited-overs formats could provide Gambhir with breathing space. “In limited-overs cricket, India have a lot of resources from which to select. The 2026 T20 World Cup is also in their favour, as it will be on home ground, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka in February-March. In ODIs, Kohli and Rohit will naturally take on a lot more responsibility from a performance and leadership point of view. So I think Gambhir will be okay in terms of his position. However, from a red-ball point of view, it’s going to be tough for this Indian team in the near future.” Amid speculation about the possibility of appointing a separate red-ball coach, an idea denied by the BCCI, Bavuma downplayed the merit of split coaching roles. He suggested Gambhir is viewed as a long-term investment and is unlikely to face removal before the end of his contract. “Some may speak more to the narrative that Gambhir should perhaps carry on with the white-ball stuff and let someone else fulfil the Test cricket duties. Splitting the red- and white-ball coaching roles was something we gave a go within the Proteas set-up back in 2023,” he said. “At the time there was sense behind the split rule. But now having one coach across all formats works a lot better for players from a continuity point of view. Moreover, it’s advantageous from a philosophy and playing style point of view. I don’t think a lot of teams are going with the split-format system anymore, and to be honest, I’m not really in favour of that rule. If anything, it just confuses the players, because in one format a certain type of language is spoken and then in another format, a couple of weeks later, you need to adjust. Gambhir’s contract runs through to the 2027 ODI World Cup and India just need to back him.” While T20 cricket remains Gambhir’s strongest suit, with results backing his credentials, Bavuma believes the real test lies in red-ball cricket. Success at the upcoming T20 World Cup could strengthen Gambhir’s position further, but Test cricket demands patience and long-term clarity. “In terms of the way Gambhir controls his current group of Test players, I think it would be best to be clear and say: ‘Guys, it’s going to be a tough few months on away tours but let’s focus on the long term.’ But he is going to have to back his horses and, at some point, those horses are going to have to exit their pens and gallop for him,” Bavuma added.