Gambhir’s India in a tailspin

The past fortnight has not been very pleasant for Gautam Gambhir.

The demand for the former India opener seemed to soar sky-high after he pulled the strings behind Kolkata Knight Riders' third Indian Premier League title this year. However, now that he has taken over the reigns of Team India, eyebrows are raised following a rather lacklustre series defeat to New Zealand in Pune.

The so-called Gambhir era kicked off with a T20I series win over Sri Lanka during their white-ball escapades back in July. Yet, the optimism quickly turned into concern during a dismal three-match ODI series.

With heavyweights like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli rejoining the squad, many had pinned their hopes on this Indian team effortlessly toppling a woefully underperforming Sri Lankan side. Instead, the Indian batting lineup was thoroughly dismantled by Sri Lanka's spin trio, Charith Asalanka, Dunith Wellalage, and Wanindu Hasaranga.

The situation only escalated in the subsequent matches, with the Indian unit looking utterly perplexed as leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay's six-wicket haul in the second ODI catapulted the hosts to a series lead. The final ODI was just another day in paradise as Dunith showcased his prowess with a five-wicket haul, leading his side to a series win. This left fans and critics alike scratching their heads, questioning how the 2023 ODI World Cup finalists had suddenly turned into timid kittens against spin.

India's concerns about their spin woes took a brief respite after they mercilessly crushed Bangladesh in a 2-0 series sweep at home. But the real test loomed on the horizon with New Zealand gearing up for battle.

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Despite New Zealand's dismal preparation, facing a washed-out one-off Test against Afghanistan and a humbling 2-0 series defeat to Sri Lanka before the Indian tour, the team somehow found its groove against a historically dominant Indian side on home soil.

Remarkably, they managed to do all this without their star batter, Kane Williamson, who was busy nursing an injury. But none of this seemed to matter as the New Zealand bowlers went on a rampage, reducing India to a jaw-dropping total of just 46 runs, their lowest ever in home conditions.

As if that wasn't enough, the second Test served as an even more excruciating exercise in disappointment. Batting collapses have become the hallmark of the ongoing series, leaving the Indian batsmen floundering.

New Zealand seized the moment, aiming to capitalise on their significant first-innings lead. But lo and behold, India's spinners finally decided to show up, limiting the Kiwis to a mere 358 runs. Yet, despite the spin revival, the Indian batting continued its lacklustre performance, leading to the end of their historic winning streak of Test series victories, a remarkable run that lasted over 4,000 days.

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It is then hard to say what is more shocking: Indian batters' ability to crumble under pressure or the uncanny talent of New Zealand's bowlers to make mincemeat of a side that was once considered a fortress at home. As Gambhir takes the helm, one can't help but wonder if the legendary batsman has accidentally wandered into a parallel universe where his team has forgotten the basic tenets of batting.

From T20 triumphs to a Test series meltdown, the Gambhir era appears to be off to a rocky start. Fans are left to ponder whether this coaching stint will ultimately elevate India's performance or simply add another layer of disappointment.

As questions loom about the future of the Indian batting order, one can only hope that Gambhir's reputed acumen will kick in sooner rather than later. But for now, the shadows of doubt linger over a team that once basked in the glow of dominance. How long will it take for the Indian batsmen to rediscover their footing and shake off the spinning shackles?

In the end, cricket, much like life, is full of surprises. And while the cricketing world waits with bated breath, one thing remains abundantly clear: the road ahead for Gambhir and his charges will be anything but smooth. With critics sharpening their pencils and fans gripping their seats, the saga of Team India under Gambhir's stewardship promises to be a rollercoaster ride filled with ups, downs and plenty of nail-biting moments.