
Gautam Gambhir took over as head coach of the Indian cricket team after a successful tenure with Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. His coaching record has been closely watched, particularly how it stacks up in white-ball versus red-ball formats.
Gambhir started his international coaching career with the ODI format, where his initial matches showed a rocky start. Following an unfavorable series against Sri Lanka, Gambhir rallied his team to a remarkable turnaround.
| Opposition | Matches | Wins | Losses | Ties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Various | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
His noteworthy wins include clinching the Champions Trophy 2025, showcasing his exceptional leadership capabilities.
Diving straight into the T20 format, Gambhir’s debut series was an impressive clean sweep, taking all three matches against strong opposition. His initial coaching tactics have clearly resonated well with the players.
However, Gambhir’s coaching effectiveness waded through troubled waters in the Test format. The Indian team faced significant setbacks, including a home series clean sweep against New Zealand and key losses in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
| Series | Results |
|---|---|
| New Zealand | Lost 0-2 |
| Border-Gavaskar Trophy | Lost 3 matches |
| England | Draw 2-2 |
| South Africa | Lost 0-2 |
Despite these setbacks, Gambhir managed a redeeming performance against the West Indies at home, delivering a solid win.
Gambhir’s success was further exemplified in the IPL where he led Kolkata Knight Riders to a title in 2024 with an impressive record of winning 13 out of 16 matches. He also served as a mentor to Lucknow Super Giants for two seasons.
With a blend of experience and a challenging journey ahead, Gambhir seeks to bring new heights to Indian cricket. His ability to refine strategies in white-ball formats while overcoming obstacles in Tests will shape his legacy as a head coach.






