Yes Gambhir, we can compare! Decoding how India have learnt no lessons since NZ Tests

Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar - (Source: AFP)

Indian cricket is at an all-time low as the Shubman Gill-led side suffered another whitewash at home. On Wednesday, November 26, India suffered their heaviest defeat in the history of red-ball cricket and are now at the helm of heavy criticism because of an embarrassing whitewash at home.

Gautam Gambhir's era in Test cricket has got off to the worst possible start as the former India opener has lost five of his last seven coached Tests at home. Further, Gambhir has become the first Indian coach to witness two whitewashes at home in their coaching career. Notably, in 2024, New Zealand toured India, and the Tom Latham-led team handed India a 0-3 whitewash at home.

It has been more than a year since that series, and a lot has changed, such as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's retirements, but the results remain the same. The output has not changed, and it has what irked the fans.

Notably, India have played 19 Tests under Gambhir's era, and the former India opener has a winning percentage of just 36.14, which is shambolic. Ever since the New Zealand whitewash, India have lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, tied series against England away from home and won the red-ball Tests vs West Indies.

Meanwhile, this article will compare the two whitewashes at home and how things have not changed; neither has Gautam Gambhir learnt from his mistakes. 

1. Struggling against spin at home

Notably, one of the primary reasons why India were so dominant at home was because of their ability to play spin well. However, that skill has faded over time and under Gambhir's era, India have really struggled against spin. 

Interestingly, from 2016-19, the batters averaged 53.3 against spin, and it has dropped to 27.6 under Gambhir's era. Further, in the New Zealand series, India lost 37 wickets to spinners, whereas in the South Africa Tests, 25 wickets have been thrown away to spinners in just two Tests.

Let's look at Indian batters struggle against spin in recent years

Thus, with batters struggling against spin is a big reason behind the home dominance fading away.

2. Losing patience amidst aggressive cricket

Gambhir's philosophy has been pretty clear, which is to play aggressive brand of cricket. The ideology has brought him success in T20 cricket, but the same style of cricket has turned into a headache in red-ball cricket. 

For the unversed, India have collapsed for less than 200 runs five times since Gautam Gambhir taking over, which is most in two straight seasons in Test cricket. Further, the aggressive style of cricket has resulted in players losing patience and not chasing even simple targets.

In the New Zealand series, India were tasked to chase down just 150 runs in the 3rd Test, but the team crumbled and collapsed for just 121 runs. Even in the South Africa 1st Test, India only required to win 123 runs to lead the series, but Gill and his men fail to do so. 

3. Constant chops and changes

Gambhir has become infamous for his constant experimentations and it is something that the former KKR coach is refusing to change his stance on.  Even during the New Zealand series, KL Rahul was batting down the middle-order in the first Test, but was left out of the playing XI in the 2nd Test and Shubman Gill returned to No.3 spot.  

Now coming to the 3rd Test, Sarfaraz Khan, who having a great series, was sent down the order and placed below Ravindra Jadeja and Pant in the first innings, where he scored a duck. Meanwhile, in the second innings, the former RCB star was again pushed up the order. 

Similarly, in the recently concluded Test series against South Africa, Washington Sundar was promoted at No. 3 for the first Test, but demoted back to the No. 8 place in the 2nd innings and 2nd Test. 

If that was not all, then Nitish Kumar Reddy, who is prioritised ahead of specialised batters was given just 10 overs to bowl in the 2nd Test and placed at No. 9 in the 2nd innings. 

These questions go unanswered under the hat of experimentation and only Gambhir knows how long will he take to field a stable XI.

---

ALSO READ

"Blame lies at the feet of...": Gambhir breaks silence after India's Guwahati Test defeat

---