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Is Gambhir 'Under Pressure' Despite Champions Trophy Win? IND Coach Sets Record Straight

MENSXP | June 7, 2025 12:39 AM CST

India’s tour of England shall get underway on June 20 when the first Test begins. Captain Shubman Gill will face his first big challenge as he prepares to lead India for the first time in the longest format. India have not won a Test series in England since 2007 and this time they are without three of their heavyweights who have all called time. Ravichandran Ashwin, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are not in the squad. Ravindra Jadeja is the most experienced member of the 18 players who are on the tour.

Is the Coach Under Pressure?

Coach Gautam Gambhir made a revelation when asked if he was still under pressure after winning the Champions Trophy. On March 9, India beat New Zealand by four wickets to become the first to win three titles. They won in 2013 vs England and shared the title in 2002 with Sri Lanka.

"I am always under pressure irrespective of whether we got the results or not. If you would have asked me this question after New Zealand (series), I would have said 'yes, I am under pressure'. After Australia (tour), I would have said 'yes, I am under pressure'," he said while speaking to reporters.

"After the Champions Trophy, I am still under pressure because me being the coach, you always want the results. Every game you are part of this team, you want to get the results," he added.

Hall of Shame

Since Gambhir took over as coach in 2024, India took a sudden dip. They lost an ODI series in Sri Lanka for the first time since 1997, failed to win a single ODI in a calendar year since 1979, lost a home Test series to New Zealand for the first time, lost a Test at home to New Zealand for the first time since 1988, got whitewashed in a Test series at home for the first time since 2000 and lost a Test series to Australia for the first time since 2014-15. The Champions Trophy win was able to win back some pride for Gambhir and India.

India in England

The last time India toured England for a Test series was in 2021 with the last game being held in 2022 due to a COVID delay. The series was drawn 2-2. India’s other Test series wins in England came in 1971 and 1986. This team faces an uphill task and it will be interesting to see how the boys do. Gill has to lead from the front, senior players like Jasprit Bumrah and Jadeja have to step up while Gambhir must do his bit from behind the scenes. A total of five Tests will be played. Who will triumph at the end? We shall know soon enough!