Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Gautam Gambhir Dismisses Criticism, Targets Trophies and Three-Test Series
Gautam Gambhir is the coach of India’s cricket team.
Some people have criticized him after India lost several Test series.
Gambhir said his main job is to win trophies for India.
He said he does not worry about views, likes or outside criticism.
He said his talks with selector Ajit Agarkar are about improving the team.
India wants to choose a bowling attack strong enough to take 20 wickets in the next Test.
Gambhir also supported Kuldeep Yadav and praised Manav Suthar and Devdutt Padikkal.
He wants Test series to have three matches instead of two.
The next India-Sri Lanka Test is scheduled for August 23, 2026, in Colombo.
Gautam Gambhir said winning trophies, rather than criticism, views or likes, is his priority as India coach.
India have lost Test series at home to New Zealand and South Africa and away to Australia.
Gambhir said his discussions with chief selector Ajit Agarkar focus on cricket and future team decisions.
He said India would select its best bowling attack to take 20 wickets in the Colombo Test.
Gambhir advocated three-match Test series, saying two-match series give teams little chance to recover after losing the opener.
- Who
- India head coach Gautam Gambhir, chief selector Ajit Agarkar, and the India and Sri Lanka cricket teams.
- What
- Gambhir defended his priorities after criticism over India’s Test results and called for more three-match Test series.
- When
- Gambhir made the comments at a pre-match press conference on Saturday; the second Test is scheduled for Sunday, August 23, 2026.
- Where
- The second Test is scheduled at the SSC Club in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
- Why
- Gambhir said his focus is winning trophies and argued that three-match series give teams more opportunity to recover after an early loss.
Gambhir’s Position
Criticism Over Results
How Gambhir should be judged
Gambhir’s Position
Gambhir said his responsibility is to win trophies and that he does not care about views, likes or criticism.
Criticism Over Results
Criticism has followed India’s losses in Test series against New Zealand, South Africa and Australia.
India’s current Test form
Gambhir’s Position
Gambhir said rankings do not matter and that India have played reasonable Test cricket since the England tour.
Criticism Over Results
India are fifth in the World Test Championship table and have endured several series losses during Gambhir’s tenure.
Length of Test series
Gambhir’s Position
Gambhir wants three-match series because a team losing the first Test has more opportunity to recover.
Criticism Over Results
The current two-match format can leave a team unable to make an immediate comeback, with a draw as the best possible outcome after an opening defeat.
- India’s recent Test results
- India lost home series against New Zealand and South Africa and an away series against Australia.
- England result
- India drew its series in England 2-2, described as the only major positive in a difficult period.
- Gambhir’s priority
- Winning trophies for the national team.
- Selection discussions
- Gambhir said his conversations with Ajit Agarkar focus on cricket, the team’s future and better decisions.
- World Test Championship position
- India are fifth in the World Test Championship table.
- Next Test
- India will play Sri Lanka at the SSC Club in Colombo on August 23, 2026.
- Three-Test proposal
- Gambhir said he ideally wants three-match Test series instead of two-match series.
