🎙️ 1. No personal praise amid loss
After India’s defeat in the first Test at Headingley, Gambhir downplayed celebrating Rishabh Pant’s twin centuries, insisting that the team’s performance takes priority over individual feats. He reminded everyone there’s a long tour ahead with more opportunities for successindianexpress.com+15youtube.com+15timesofindia.indiatimes.com+15timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
🎙️ 2. Bumrah’s workload remains a top priority
Gambhir confirmed there’s no change in strategy: Jasprit Bumrah will play in only three of the five Tests, regardless of the first Test result. The exact matches haven’t been decided yet, as it’s contingent on the series situation and Bumrah’s physical readiness.
🎙️ 3. Firm support for the bowling unit
In response to criticism of India’s bowlers during England’s record chase, Gambhir emphasized collective responsibility—“We lose together, win together”—and urged fans and critics to avoid singling out individual players.
🎙️ 4. Shubman Gill’s captaincy praised
Reflecting on Gill’s calm debut as Test captain, Gambhir praised his composure and first-innings century, affirming he “has everything it takes” but also underscoring the need to allow him time to grow in the role
Following India’s defeat in the first Test against England at Headingley — despite five players scoring centuries — fans and analysts alike have started to doubt whether Gambhir is the right choice for the head coach role. The biggest concern is the extent to which this loss can be attributed to Gambhir’s decisions.
Gambhir took over as head coach after an impressive stint with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2024, guiding them to their third championship. He also coached India to victory in the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year. His white-ball cricket strategies have proven effective, but Test cricket presents a unique challenge. So far, his performance in the red-ball format has fallen short of expectations.
