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Former cricketer Arun Lal has backed India head coach Gautam Gambhir to remain as the team’s head coach for all formats, despite India’s recent decline in Test cricket . Lal stated that Gambhir cannot be judged only on the basis of the team’s results.
With Gautam Gambhir as the head coach, India recently lost the Test series in Australia by 1-3. After this result, Australia regained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after ten years. As expected, Gambhir’s role was questioned and he is under pressure for the upcoming tournaments.
Read also: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Varun Chakravarthy’s case for last-minute inclusion gets stronger
Arun Lal supports Gautam Gambhir
During a conversation with RevSportz, Arun Lal was asked if India needs a different coach for Test cricket after India’s disappointing performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy recently.
Lal believes that Gautam Gambhir should be given some time and his coach cannot be judged after the team’s results. He reminded viewers of Gambhir’s red-ball credentials as a player and hailed him as the country’s hero.
“I don’t think so. You can’t judge a manager’s performance by results alone. It’s commitment, it’s drive, it’s man management, it’s how he’s carrying himself. If he’s winning a day’s cricket and he’s losing the red ball. cricket, doesn’t mean he doesn’t know how to coach,” said Lal.
“He’s played as much red-ball cricket as anyone. He’s a country hero. So, give (some) time, (it’s a) turbulent start for sure. His way of working is very different from others . It’s not like you trusted him, so give him enough time to act, so I’m fine with him,” he added.
🚨 Arun Lal continues #GautamGambhir‘s coaching: “It’s all about managing the man. Give him time. I’m good with him.”
He spoke about stars like Rohit and Virat returning to domestic cricket and the importance of the #RanjiTrophy.@ThumsUpOfficial
Full: https://t.co/glD2vtH3yr pic.twitter.com/7JXsIvvXS7
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) January 23, 2025
Gautam Gambhir has played 58 Tests for India and has scored 4154 runs at an average of 41.95 with 9 hundreds and 22 fifties. The left-arm opener played a key role in India’s dominance in Test cricket and helped them rise to No. 1 in the Test rankings. Gambhir himself has been the No. 1 Test batsman for a significant period.
Arun Lal on India’s recent Test defeats
Arun Lal also discussed India’s recent performances in Test cricket. He feels that India made some mistakes during the home Test series and also raised questions about the team’s ultra-aggressive batting style that led to their downfall.
“Strategically, the team made some mistakes against New Zealand. We desperately wanted to get to the WTC finals. We wanted to win at all costs. We were a better team to think about if we play a five-day match in India against any team,” said Lal..
“But if you’re trying to win in three days, then you’re closing the gap between the favorite and the contender. I think we made a mistake, but then, we all learn from our mistakes,” he pointed out.
India under coach Gautam Gambhir
India have already seen some shocking results in Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as head coach. The Men in Blue lost an ODI series in Sri Lanka in August 2024, which was their first series defeat in the country in 27 years.
The Test team later lost to New Zealand 0-3, which was all the more shocking considering India’s formidable record at home. It was India’s first home Test series defeat in 12 years.
The Men in Blue recently lost the Test series in Australia, which was their first defeat in a decade. Australia finally reclaimed the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after ten years.
