Archive · 17 Nov 2025
VVS Laxman vs Gautam Gambhir: Who Should Coach India's Test Team?
India's cricket team is thinking about changing their Test coach.
Right now, Gautam Gambhir is the coach, but the team hasn't been winning many Test matches.
They've lost a lot at home and even got beaten by another team without winning any matches.
Some people think VVS Laxman should take over just the Test matches because he has coached the team before and knows a lot about cricket.
This way, Gambhir can still coach the shorter games like one-dayers and T20s, and Laxman can focus only on the tough Test matches.
It's like having special teachers for different subjects in school!
Gautam Gambhir's tenure as India's Test coach has seen 7 victories out of 18 games.
India has lost four of their last six home Tests under Gambhir's coaching.
Under Gambhir, India was whitewashed at home by New Zealand in 2024 and failed to reach the WTC final.
VVS Laxman, currently head at the NCA, is suggested as a replacement for Gambhir.
A split coaching system is proposed, with Laxman coaching Tests and Gambhir coaching ODIs/T20Is.
- Who
- VVS Laxman and Gautam Gambhir
- What
- Discussion about potentially replacing Gautam Gambhir as India's Test coach with VVS Laxman.
- When
- Following recent losses in Test cricket under Gambhir's coaching.
- Where
- India's Test cricket team.
- Why
- Gautam Gambhir's poor Test record, including recent home losses and failure to qualify for the WTC final, has led to suggestions for a change, potentially adopting a split coaching model.
Support for Laxman as Test Coach
Support for Gambhir as Test Coach
Performance as Test Coach
Support for Laxman as Test Coach
Gambhir's record includes 18 games with only seven victories, and four losses in the last six home Tests. India was also whitewashed at home by New Zealand in 2024 under his coaching, and they failed to qualify for the WTC final.
Support for Gambhir as Test Coach
Gambhir has done well in white-ball cricket since taking over as India coach.
Experience and Fresh Ideas
Support for Laxman as Test Coach
Laxman has prior experience as an interim coach and is currently the head at the NCA, making him familiar with the job and expected to bring fresh ideas.
Support for Gambhir as Test Coach
Gambhir is currently the coach, implying he has been entrusted with the role based on his capabilities.
Coaching Structure
Support for Laxman as Test Coach
A split coaching system is proposed to share the pressure and bring clarity, acknowledging the challenge of managing three teams for three formats.
Support for Gambhir as Test Coach
The current system, which may involve one coach for all formats, is implicitly being challenged by the proposal.
- Gautam Gambhir's Test Coaching Record
- 18 games, 7 wins
- Recent Home Test Losses Under Gambhir
- 4 of last 6
- Notable Series Loss Under Gambhir
- Whitewashed at home by New Zealand in 2024
- WTC Final Qualification Under Gambhir
- Failed to qualify
- VVS Laxman's Current Role
- Head at NCA
- Proposed Coaching Split
- Laxman for Tests, Gambhir for ODIs/T20Is