3 possible replacements for Gautam Gambhir if he gets sacked as India’s head coach

India’s latest Test debacle has pushed head coach Gautam Gambhir's position into trouble, with pressure increasing after a second successive home series whitewash. India’s recent decline in red-ball cricket has now become a worrying pattern. South Africa’s recent crushing 408-run win in Guwahati not only sealed a 0-2 defeat but also recorded India’s largest-ever loss by runs and their fifth home Test defeat in seven games.

Under Gambhir, India were first defeated by New Zealand last year, the team’s first-ever series without a single win. Things didn’t improve overseas either, with a 1-3 loss in Australia. Although a young squad salvaged a 2-2 draw in England. However, Gambhir has stated Indian cricket is bigger than any individual. But with the Test team in transition, questions over frequent collapses, poor selections, and worried results at home. Former players and fans have raised demands for a specialist red-ball coach as India slip to fifth in the WTC standings. 

Here are three possible replacements for Gautam Gambhir if he gets sacked as India’s head coach

Anil Kumble

Anil Kumble is a surprising name if the BCCI moves on from Gautam Gambhir as India’s head coach. His previous stint from 2016 to 2017 remains one of the most successful coaching tenures in Indian cricket. Under Kumble, India played 17 Tests, winning 12, losing just one, and drawing four, a remarkable win rate of 70.6%, the best for any Indian coach with over 15 matches.

Despite the impressive numbers, his term ended abruptly due to a well-documented personality clash with then-captain Virat Kohli. Yet, India reached the 2017 Champions Trophy final and dominated Test cricket during his tenure. Kumble later admitted he had no regrets, only that the ending could have been better. With years of coaching experience, including in the IPL, Kumble could be viewed as a possible replacement.