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‘3 Test series defeats in a row would be a problem for him': Gambhir warned as India face another series loss
Gautam Gambhir has lost 7 out of 11 Test matches he has coached so far. Image: PTI
India have shown plenty of fight in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, but the results haven't reflected their efforts. Under Shubman Gill's captaincy, the team found itself in strong positions in nearly every match, only to let the advantage slip away. They are now 2-1 down in the series and are looking to win the fifth Test to save face.
If India lose the final Test at The Oval, it will mark their third straight Test series defeat, something that is likely to raise questions about Gautam Gambhir's role as head coach. Gambhir took over as India's head coach after Rahul Dravid stepped down following the T20 World Cup win in June last year.
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Earlier this year, India suffered a 3-1 loss in Australia during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which knocked them out of the World Test Championship (WTC) final race. Before that, they were stunned at home by New Zealand, who beat them 3-0 in a clean sweep.
Both results shocked fans, especially the one at home, as India are known to dominate on their own turf and never lost a Test series to the Kiwis.
Gautam Gambhir warned about future if India lose series
Now, with England leading the current series, pressure is mounting again. Former England captain Mike Atherton has weighed in on the situation and said Gambhir could be in serious trouble if India lose at The Oval.
'Well, they've lost two series in a row. They lost at home to New Zealand 3-0, and they lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 3-1. If they lose this series, then yeah, he's under pressure as a coach,' Atherton said on Sky Sports.
'India, with all their resources, their population strength, they're not a team that people are patient with. They're expected to win every time they walk onto the park. So three Test series defeats in a row would be a problem for him,' he added.
Meanwhile, Gambhir was involved in a heated exchange with The Oval's chief curator Lee Fortis ahead of the fifth Test. The incident caught everyone's attention as it is very rare that a coach gets into a fight with ground staff. The Indian team management blamed Fortis, saying that he misbehaved with members of coaching staff.
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