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Drawing a Test series — and that too without stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma — has significantly boosted Gautam Gambhir’s influence in the Indian dressing room. His clout has arguably doubled, to the point where he is now beginning to resemble a non-playing captain rather than merely a coach. In fact, he is now expected to be directly involved in shaping the future of both Kohli and Rohit in ODI cricket.
If it comes down to his preference, Gambhir is likely to resist taking either of them in the team keeping in mind the 2027 World Cup. He is aiming to build a younger core. However, if forced to pick between the two legends, Kohli appears to have a slightly better chance of surviving the transition. That said, Rohit’s recent record complicates the equation — two ICC trophies in less than two years is no small feat, and removing the current Indian captain from the ODI setup won’t be an easy or straightforward decision.
Strangely, when India lost those home Test matches against New Zealand, Gambhir was spared the blame. The board didn’t question his tactics or his role as coach; instead, the players were made the scapegoats. Fast forward to the present — a young, relatively inexperienced Indian side under first-time Test captain Shubman Gill has managed to draw a hard-fought series — and suddenly Gambhir’s stature has shot up. His clout in the dressing room has gone to the next level, almost as if he alone masterminded the turnaround.
This shift raises a compelling question: why the selective attribution? If defeats are solely the fault of the players, shouldn’t successes also be credited primarily to them?
His grip on the system is now so firm that even contracted players are being made to line up at the National Cricket Academy to prove their fitness. Attendance isn’t optional anymore — it’s almost a roll call of loyalty and discipline. And for those who choose to skip it? Well, they might have some serious explaining to do, because in this new regime, absence is as telling as a failed fitness test.
Just imagine — if Mohammed Siraj hadn’t taken that last wicket at The Oval, how different would the narrative be today? One moment of brilliance sealed the draw and, with it, safeguarded Gambhir’s growing reputation as a Test coach. Without that dismissal, the series result — and perhaps the dressing-room dynamics — could have painted a very different picture. In cricket, fine margins decide not just matches, but careers, and Gambhir’s current stature might have looked far less commanding if that final breakthrough hadn’t come his way.
Interesting…..
Jaiswal’s current form is making his case very strong and beyond a point you can’t ignore him for Rohit. Kohli still I don’t feel there is a better player at #3 than him right now. The only alternative is promoting Shreyas or Rahul to 3 and Pant in the middle-order. Alternatively bring in Sanju Samson but still Kohli by far the best #3 batter in the country.
Good one, Basu