Indian Cricket Changing For The Good Or Bad? 6 Unwanted Records Of Gautam Gambhir Era

Gautam Gambhir [Source: @GautiDhiman,@thalabheem23/x.com]

India suffered a shocking and humiliating defeat against New Zealand in the first Test of the three-match series at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. This was a historic moment as it was the first time India lost a Test at home against New Zealand in 36 years. 

Notably, the defeat in Bengaluru was India's third across format in the Gautam Gambhir era of coaching. Even though there have been positive changes in how India plays the game, the team has achieved some unwanted feats in this phase. 

In the recently concluded T20I series against Bangladesh, India posted 297 runs in the third T20I. This was the highest total posted by India in T20Is and the second-highest ever in T20I cricket. While this shows the positive influence of India's aggressive and attacking brand of cricket, the cons have also been plenty. 

Here are six records India achieved in this Gautam Gambhir era that will remain dark spots in his curriculum vitae. 

1. Series Loss against Sri Lanka

In the ODI series, India lost 2-0 to Sri Lanka at their home. The last time India lost a bilateral ODI series against Sri Lanka was in 1997, so this occurred after 27 long years.

2. No ODI wins

India tied the first match against Sri Lanka in the ODI series and then lost the other two games. The schedule for India in 2024 shows that they will not play any more ODIs this year. Thus, in 2024, India has not won a single ODI, which happened after 45 years.

3. Test Loss against New Zealand at home

As stated earlier, India last lost a Test against New Zealand at home in 1988, while John Wright led the Kiwis. So, the defeat against them in the first Test at Bengaluru occurred after 36 years. 

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4. Test defeat in Bengaluru

Before the first Test against New Zealand, India lost a Test at Bengaluru 19 years ago. India's last defeat at Bengaluru came against Pakistan in 2005 when they lost the match by 168 runs.

5. Test defeats at home

India have lost two Tests at home in 2024 so far. The first one was against England in January, then this match against New Zealand. It is after 12 years that India have lost two Test matches in a calendar year at home. The last time this happened was in 2012 when India lost a Test series against England by 2-1.

6. Lowest total at home

India was bundled out for just 46 runs in the first innings of the Bengaluru Test. This stands as the lowest total by India at home. Also, this is the first time India has scored less than 50 runs in an innings at home while being bowled out.

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