Gautam Gambhir told to return to domestic cricket amid India's Test struggles; ‘He could become the Ranji Trophy coach’

India head coach Gautam Gambhir was suggested to return to domestic cricket to learn how to build a team in red-ball cricket, amid the national team's struggles in white-ball format. Ever since Gambhir took over the job in 2024, India managed to win just seven Tests out of total 19 so far.

Although the Men in Blue won the ICC Champions Trophy and Asia Cup, both in 2025 under Gambhir, India's Test whitewashes against New Zealand (0-3 in 2024) and South Africa (0-2 in 2025), both at home, laid bare Gambhir's coaching credentials in the longest format.

India had lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 1-3 in Australia too in 2025. Former England cricketer Monty Panesar felt Gambhir should take up coaching in the ranji Trophy. “Gautam Gambhir is a good coach in white-ball cricket because he has been successful,” Panesar told ANI.

“He could become the Ranji Trophy coach, and he should talk to the coaches who have coached in the Ranji Trophy about how you build a team in red ball cricket,” added the England spinner with Indian roots.