The failure of current Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir on home soil continues to baffle fans and analysts. Several critical voices believe Gambhir’s Test record at home is India’s worst run in history. Team India was handed an embarrassing whitewash (2–0) in front of their fans after failing to contain a visiting South Africa team in Kolkata and Guwahati.
Debates regarding the Men in Blue’s current home form drives further conversation into how past managers fared in long-format cricket at home.
Let’s see the overall record of Team India coaches in Tests from the 2000/01 season to Gautam’s last long-format game of 2025.
1. John Wright (45.83% wins)
Only John Wright’s record may be much worse than Gambhir’s if he gets to lead India in as many games. Wright oversaw the side in 24 Test matches. His team lost 4 games and drew 9 matches but managed to secure 11 victories on home soil.
2. Greg Chappell (50% wins)
Chappell’s record was not the best for India during the late 2000s. He could only secure 3 victories and 2 draws out of 6 matches played (1 defeat).
3. Gary Kirsten (52.6% wins)
Kirsten could not ensure a steady flow of wins and accumulated one draw too many at home. The coach managed India in 19 home Tests and won 10 of these encounters. However, he drew 7 games and lost two matches during this stint as manager.
4. Duncan Fletcher (73.3% wins)
Duncan Fletcher ushered in India’s high-performing era during home Tests. The manager bagged 11 wins and 2 draws (2 losses) after 15 home Tests played. His +73% win record at home is one of India’s best in over two decades.
5. Anil Kumble (76.9% wins)
Indian bowling legend Anil Kumble stepped in to manage India in 13 home Test matches. The veteran secured 10 wins and 2 draws from 13 matches (1 loss).
6. Ravi Shastri (78.9% wins)
Shastri brought his wealth of Test cricket experience to the fore as manager. He led the team in 19 home Tests and bagged 15 wins and 3 draws (1 defeat) throughout his tenure.
7. Rahul Dravid (69.23% wins)
Dravid led India’s squad across formats for three seasons. His tenure maintained stability in the Test squad as he managed 9 wins and 2 draws (2 defeats) out of 13 Tests played.
8. Gautam Gambhir (44.4% wins)
India’s poor run of form in recent home Tests continues to heap pressure on Gautam Gambhir. The coach has led his side in 9 home Tests so far with 4 victories and 5 defeats on record. India also suffered two embarrassing home defeats (vs New Zealand and South Africa) under Gambhir.
Is Gambhir India’s Worst-Ever Manager in Tests?
It is too early to tell if Gambhir is India’s most disastrous coach in Test cricket. However, his series losses against New Zealand and South Africa places him in a tight spot.
Gambhir is the first manager to lose a home Test series since Duncan Fletcher, and the fact that he suffered defeat twice irks fans immensely.
Full Team India Performance in Home Tests from 2000/01 to 2025 Season
| Series | Season | Winner | Scoreline |
| Zimbabwe in India Test Series | 2000/01 | India | 1–0 (2) |
| Border–Gavaskar Trophy (Australia in India) | 2000/01 | India | 2–1 (3) |
| England in India Test Series | 2001/02 | India | 1–0 (3) |
| Zimbabwe in India Test Series | 2001/02 | India | 2–0 (2) |
| West Indies in India Test Series | 2002/03 | India | 2–0 (3) |
| New Zealand in India Test Series | 2003/04 | Drawn | 0–0 (2) |
| Border–Gavaskar Trophy (Australia in India) | 2004/05 | Australia | 2–1 (4) |
| South Africa in India Test Series | 2004/05 | India | 1–0 (2) |
| India in Bangladesh Test Series (hosted in India)* | 2004/05 | India | 2–0 (2) |
| Pakistan in India Test Series | 2004/05 | Drawn | 1–1 (3) |
| Sri Lanka in India Test Series | 2005/06 | India | 2–0 (3) |
| England in India Test Series | 2005/06 | Drawn | 1–1 (3) |
| Pakistan in India Test Series | 2007/08 | India | 1–0 (3) |
| South Africa in India Test Series | 2007/08 | Drawn | 1–1 (3) |
| Border–Gavaskar Trophy (Australia in India) | 2008/09 | India | 2–0 (4) |
| England in India Test Series | 2008/09 | India | 1–0 (2) |
| Sri Lanka in India Test Series | 2009/10 | India | 2–0 (3) |
| South Africa in India Test Series | 2009/10 | Drawn | 1–1 (2) |
| Border–Gavaskar Trophy (Australia in India) | 2010/11 | India | 2–0 (2) |
| New Zealand in India Test Series | 2010/11 | India | 1–0 (3) |
| West Indies in India Test Series | 2011/12 | India | 2–0 (3) |
| New Zealand in India Test Series | 2012 | India | 2–0 (2) |
| England in India Test Series | 2012/13 | England | 2–1 (4) |
| Border–Gavaskar Trophy (Australia in India) | 2012/13 | India | 4–0 (4) |
| West Indies in India Test Series | 2013/14 | India | 2–0 (2) |
| Sri Lanka in India Test Series | 2015/16 | India | 2–1 (3) |
| Freedom Trophy (South Africa in India) | 2015/16 | India | 3–0 (4) |
| New Zealand in India Test Series | 2016/17 | India | 3–0 (3) |
| England in India Test Series | 2016/17 | India | 4–0 (5) |
| Bangladesh in India Test Match | 2016/17 | India | 1–0 (1) |
| Border–Gavaskar Trophy (Australia in India) | 2016/17 | India | 2–1 (4) |
| Sri Lanka in India Test Series | 2017/18 | India | 1–0 (3) |
| Afghanistan in India Test Match | 2018 | India | 1–0 (1) |
| West Indies in India Test Series | 2018/19 | India | 2–0 (2) |
| Freedom Trophy (South Africa in India) | 2019/20 | India | 3–0 (3) |
| Bangladesh in India Test Series | 2019/20 | India | 2–0 (2) |
| Anthony de Mello Trophy (England in India) | 2020/21 | India | 3–1 (4) |
| New Zealand in India Test Series | 2021/22 | India | 1–0 (2) |
| Sri Lanka in India Test Series | 2021/22 | India | 2–0 (2) |
| Pataudi Trophy (England in India) | 2021–22 | Drawn | 2–2 (5) |
| Bangladesh in India Test Series | 2024/25 | India | 2–0 (2) |
| New Zealand in India Test Series | 2024/25 | New Zealand | 3–0 (3) |
| West Indies in India Test Series | 2025/26 | India | 2–0 (2) |
| Freedom Trophy (South Africa in India) | 2025/26 | South Africa | 2–0 (2) |
