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Indian cricket is currently facing a storm of criticism and discontent among fans, with many labeling the Rohit Sharma-Gautam Gambhir era as one of the darkest phases in the nation’s cricketing history. This sentiment has emerged following a series of dismal performances, particularly in the Test format, under the leadership of Rohit Sharma and the guidance of Head Coach Gautam Gambhir.
This downturn has hit harder because it comes on the heels of a high point: India’s triumphant T20 World Cup 2024 campaign under Rahul Dravid. Let’s delve deeper into whether this claim is justified by analyzing the performance and challenges during this era.
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The Downfall Over the Last 7 Months
India’s poor run under Gambhir’s coaching and Rohit’s captaincy has seen the team hit unprecedented lows:
- First ODI Series Loss Against Sri Lanka in 27 Years
India’s long-standing dominance over Sri Lanka was shattered with a series loss, raising questions about the team’s ability to handle pressure. - First-Ever Home Whitewash in ODIs
Losing a home series 3-0 marked an all-time low, breaking India’s historic fortress in ODI cricket. - First Home Test Series Loss in 12 Years
India’s proud Test record at home, one of the strongest in the cricketing world, was breached in embarrassing fashion. - Losing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy After 10 Years
The loss of the iconic Border-Gavaskar Trophy symbolized India’s struggles to compete against top-tier teams in red-ball cricket.
Statistical Comparison: Decline in Performance
A look at the performances of the last four coach-captain partnerships sheds light on the decline during the Rohit-Gambhir era:
| Coach-Captain Pair | Period | Matches | Win Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli – Ravi Shastri | 2017-2021 | 43 | 58.13% |
| Virat Kohli – Rahul Dravid | 2021-2022 | 5 | 0.00% |
| Rohit Sharma – Rahul Dravid | 2022-2024 | 19 | 63.15% |
| Rohit Sharma – Gautam Gambhir | 2024-2025 | 10 | 30.00% |
The numbers reveal a stark dip in performance:
- Under Gambhir, the team has won just 30% of their Test matches, a sharp decline from the 63.15% win rate under the Rohit-Dravid partnership.
- While the Virat-Dravid phase yielded no Test wins, the sample size was too small to draw significant conclusions.
Key Challenges in the Rohit-Gambhir Era
- Lack of Team Rhythm: The team has struggled to find a cohesive rhythm, especially in Tests.
- Poor Confidence and Approach: The absence of belief in critical moments has often led to collapses in both batting and bowling.
- Questionable Decision-Making: Tactical missteps, from team selections to on-field strategies, have amplified their struggles.
- Inconsistency Across Formats: Even in ODIs, the team has lacked the consistency and dominance expected of Indian cricket.
Is It Truly the Darkest Phase?
Labeling this phase as the “darkest” might be an emotional reaction, but the numbers and performances do paint a grim picture. While other eras, like the Virat-Dravid phase, were marked by struggles, the prolonged nature of losses under Gambhir’s tenure makes it particularly concerning.
With the Champions Trophy 2025 around the corner, both fans and the Indian cricket management will hope for a turnaround. If not, the Rohit-Gambhir era risks being remembered as a low point in Indian cricket’s otherwise illustrious history.
