Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Gautam Gambhir Defends India’s Test Form Despite Recent Setbacks
India’s cricket team has faced criticism after losing Test matches at home to New Zealand and South Africa.
Gautam Gambhir, the team’s coach, said he does not believe India is struggling.
He said the team has played reasonably well since its England tour.
India recently beat Sri Lanka, ending a long wait for a Test win.
That result improved India’s points percentage in the World Test Championship.
However, India was still fifth in the standings.
Gambhir said his main goal is to win trophies.
The team may change its bowling lineup for the next Test.
Saransh Jain could replace Kuldeep Yadav, who took only one wicket in Galle.
Gautam Gambhir rejected concerns about India’s red-ball form ahead of the Colombo Test.
He said India had played reasonable Test cricket since the England tour and that rankings did not matter.
India’s win against Sri Lanka improved its World Test Championship points percentage from 48.14 to 53.33.
India remained fifth in the World Test Championship standings despite the improvement.
Saransh Jain was reportedly likely to replace Kuldeep Yadav, who took one wicket in Galle.
- Who
- Gautam Gambhir and the Indian men’s Test cricket team, led by Shubman Gill, are central to the story.
- What
- Gambhir dismissed concerns about India’s Test form while India considered a possible bowling change for its next Test against Sri Lanka.
- When
- The comments were made ahead of the Colombo Test; the article does not provide an exact date.
- Where
- The comments concerned the Colombo Test in Sri Lanka; previous relevant matches were played in Ahmedabad and Galle.
- Why
- Gambhir said India had played reasonable Test cricket and that his priority was winning trophies, despite criticism and India’s recent setbacks.
Concerns About India’s Test Form
Gambhir’s Defense of the Team
Overall performance
Concerns About India’s Test Form
Critics have focused on India’s home defeats to New Zealand and South Africa and its inconsistent red-ball results.
Gambhir’s Defense of the Team
Gautam Gambhir said India was not struggling and had played reasonable Test cricket since the England tour.
Importance of rankings
Concerns About India’s Test Form
India’s fifth-place position in the World Test Championship standings remains a concern despite its improved points percentage.
Gambhir’s Defense of the Team
Gambhir said rankings do not matter, emphasizing trophies as his main objective.
Bowling selection
Concerns About India’s Test Form
Kuldeep Yadav’s one-wicket outing in Galle raised questions about his place in the next lineup.
Gambhir’s Defense of the Team
Gambhir said India would select the best attack capable of taking 20 wickets and noted that Kuldeep is a good bowler.
- Recent setbacks
- India suffered home defeats to New Zealand and South Africa.
- Recent win
- India’s win against Sri Lanka was described as its first victory since beating West Indies in Ahmedabad the previous year.
- World Test Championship percentage
- India’s points percentage rose from 48.14 to 53.33.
- World Test Championship position
- India remained fifth in the standings.
- Possible selection change
- Saransh Jain was reportedly likely to replace Kuldeep Yadav.
- Kuldeep Yadav’s recent return
- Kuldeep took one wicket in Galle.
- Gautam Gambhir’s stated priority
- He said his job was to win trophies.