Gill's Heroics Give Gautam Gambhir a Lifeline, But Warning Follows: 'Don't Get Complacent' Says Ex-Cricketer

India’s historic 336-run win over England in the second Test at Edgbaston has not only leveled the five-match series 1-1 but also eased the mounting pressure on head coach Gautam Gambhir. Former Indian cricketer Surinder Khanna has called the win a much-needed "lifeline" for Gambhir, but also issued a caution—reminding him that the job is far from done.

Shubman Gill and Young Brigade Steal the Show

The spotlight firmly belonged to captain Shubman Gill, who scored 269 in the first innings and followed it up with 161 in the second—becoming the first Indian to score over 400 runs in a single Test. On the bowling front, debutant Akash Deep stunned with a 10-wicket haul, while Mohammad Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja added to England’s woes.

First-Ever Test Win at Edgbaston

This was India’s maiden Test victory at Edgbaston—an iconic milestone that helped them bounce back in the series and provided much-needed breathing space for coach Gautam Gambhir, who had been under intense scrutiny after recent Test failures.

Why Gambhir Was Under Fire

Gambhir, who took over as head coach in July 2024, had a dream start by guiding India to a Champions Trophy title in Dubai. But things quickly turned sour. India suffered a 3-0 whitewash against New Zealand at home, then lost the Test series in Australia, missing out on the World Test Championship final. The opening loss to England in Leeds further amplified criticism of his leadership in the longest format.

Surinder Khanna’s Straight Talk

Speaking to IANS, Surinder Khanna said, “Gambhir was on the edge. This win was a lifeline, and full credit goes to Shubman Gill and the young team. Confidence will be high now, but cricket is unpredictable. One bad session and things can change. We need Bumrah’s return, and the bowling conditions are in our favor for now.”

He added a final word of warning: “We have many T20-style players who play aggressively, but that won’t always work in Tests. Gambhir must ensure the team adapts smartly.”