Five unwanted records under Gautam Gambhir's coaching (Source/Getty Images)

Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir has come under increasing scrutiny after a series of disappointing results in Test cricket, despite notable success in limited-overs competitions. Since taking over from Rahul Dravid in July 2024, Gambhir guided India to major triumphs, including the 2025 Champions Trophy and the 2025 Asia Cup. However, India’s performances in the bilateral Test arena have been concerning, leading to several unwanted records. Here let us take a look at the five most notable ones under Gambhir’s tenure.

Here are five unwanted records under Gautam Gambhir's coaching First home series defeat in 12 years India vs New Zealand. (Source - Getty Images)

India suffered a shocking home Test series loss to New Zealand in Pune, marking their first defeat on home soil in 12 years. Led by Rohit Sharma, the Indian side failed to put up a meaningful fight against the visitors. Tom Latham’s New Zealand team scripted history by winning their first Test series in India since 1955.

India lost the opening Test in Bengaluru by eight wickets and then suffered a 133-run loss in the second Test in Pune. They lost the final match of the series in Mumbai by 25 runs to record their first-ever clean sweep in home Test series comprising of three or more matches. Before this downturn under Gambhir, India had displayed tremendous dominance at home, winning 18 consecutive Test series.

First whitewash in 24 years India and New Zealand Test Cricket, 2024. (Source - BCCI)

The New Zealand tour turned even more disastrous as India slumped to a 3-0 whitewash, their first at home in 24 years, with the previous instance occurring against South Africa in 2000. Ajaz Patel played a crucial role in India’s defeat in the third Test in Mumbai.

In their 90-year Test history, India had rarely endured a home whitewash, making this result one of the most significant setbacks of the modern era. The clean sweep also heightened pressure ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Loss of Border-Gavaskar trophy after a decade

India also relinquished the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25, losing the five-match series 3-1 to Australia. This defeat ended India’s 10-year dominance in the prestigious rivalry, spanning four consecutive BGT victories.

Under Gambhir’s coaching, India lost six out of 10 Tests during the season while also failing to win an ODI series against Sri Lanka. The BGT setback further amplified concerns regarding India’s dwindling Test consistency.

Failure to qualify for the WTC final for the first time

For the first time in history, India failed to reach the World Test Championship (WTC) final, missing out on the 2023-25 cycle. India had successfully reached both previous finals (2019-21 and 2021-23), but a series of poor performances derailed their campaign.

India’s heavy defeats, 0-3 at home to New Zealand and 1-3 away to Australia, shattered their chances to qualify for what would have been their third straight WTC final. This marked a historic low, signaling a significant drop in India’s Test competitiveness during Gambhir’s tenure.

First home defeat to South Africa in 15 years South Africa. (Photo source: Prakash Singh/Getty Images)

India’s struggles continued as they fell to South Africa by 30 runs at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, failing to chase a modest 124-run target. This marked India’s first home loss to the Proteas in 15 years. Under Gambhir, India also registered their second failure to chase a target under 150 at home, becoming the only team in the 21st century to suffer such defeats twice.