“Gambhir is The Most Important Person at the Moment”: India Head Coach Urged to Build New Leaders Post Kohli-Rohit Era

Indian Test cricket has now fully stepped into a new era. With the retirements of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin, the team has entered a major transition phase. Ravindra Jadeja is the only senior player from the previous generation still active, and even his future might be limited.

Injuries have raised serious questions about the long-term availability of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami in the longest format. With so many big names gone or uncertain, it’s clear that a fresh start is underway.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir is now considered the most important figure in shaping the direction of the Test team. With a younger squad, his role goes beyond strategy — he needs to guide, rebuild, and lead the team into the next phase.

Shubman Gill is expected to be named the new Test captain, with Rishabh Pant likely to be his deputy. Both are young, talented, and experienced enough at the international level, but they’ll need strong support from the management to succeed as leaders.

Former cricketers like Saba Karim and Devang Gandhi have underlined what Gambhir must focus on. Karim believes Gambhir needs to clearly understand Gill’s vision for the team and give full confidence to the players.

“Gambhir is the most important person at the moment. He will have to give confidence to the players. Gambhir will have to understand the new captain and the vision he has for the team,” Saba Karim told TOI.

He added that the coach must also help form a new pace attack something Kohli had done well in his time with Shami and Bumrah.

“Virat always backed fast bowlers, and he formed a strong pool of pacers who were capable of taking wickets. He was the first Indian captain to play a Test with five genuine bowlers,” Karim said.

Karim mentioned names like Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, and Arshdeep Singh as promising fast-bowling options. Building a reliable pace pool will be key, especially with the possibility of injuries and long tours.

“If Gambhir has identified Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh as his pace options, he should play with them,” Karim added.

Devang Gandhi also stressed that Gambhir should help build leadership inside the dressing room and give Rishabh Pant enough backing as he grows into a leadership role. A strong core group will help the team stay stable during tough situations.

“Gambhir is clear about wanting to take the team forward. However, he will have to empower the players and create leaders in the dressing room. I am sure he will support Rishabh Pant, who is not in form,” former national selector Devang Gandhi said.

The path ahead won’t be easy. But with the right mindset and solid support from the coach, the next generation of Indian cricketers has a good chance to shape their own legacy in Test cricket.