Following a successful stint under Rahul Dravid’s coaching, where India clinched the T20 World Cup and reached notable finals, the reins were passed to Gautam Gambhir, who quickly led the team to victory in the Champions Trophy after a long drought.
Upon taking over as head coach in November 2021, Rahul Dravid steered the Indian team to the finals of the World Test Championship and the ODI World Cup, marking significant achievements during his tenure. During this period, Rohit Sharma emerged as a Test captain, succeeding Virat Kohli, and made his mark during a series against Sri Lanka.
The debut series under Gambhir’s leadership saw a dominant performance by India against Sri Lanka. In the first Test at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Ravindra Jadeja’s exceptional innings propelled India to a resounding victory by an innings and 222 runs. The second Test in Bengaluru, a Pink Ball fixture, was also claimed by India with Shreyas Iyer shining with the bat, leading to a 2-0 series win with Rishabh Pant named the Player of the Series.
A New Chapter Unfolds with Gambhir
Under Gambhir’s guidance post the T20 World Cup in 2024, India faced challenges in Test cricket, suffering defeats in series against New Zealand and Australia. With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket, Shubman Gill stepped up as captain for the England tour, where India fought valiantly in a tough five-match series against the Three Lions.
Despite facing a transition phase with a young captain and inexperienced squad, Gambhir’s leadership saw India secure victories at Edgbaston and The Oval, with a historic first Test win at Edgbaston and a memorable six-run triumph at The Oval, leaving a lasting impact on Indian cricket enthusiasts.
