Amit Mishra has called for patience with Gautam Gambhir as India’s disappointing Test record continues to raise questions about the head coach’s future in red-ball cricket.

India’s Test record under scrutiny

India have won seven, lost 10 and drawn two of their 19 Tests since Gambhir became head coach, excluding the one-off Test against Afghanistan. Their six Test series during this period have produced only two victories, both at home against Bangladesh and the West Indies.

The team lost the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia 3-1 and drew the 2025 series in England 2-2. More damagingly, India suffered home clean sweeps against New Zealand, 3-0 in 2024, and South Africa, 2-0 in 2025.

Mishra says players must take responsibility

Speaking to TimesofIndia.com, Mishra defended Gambhir and argued that the players must share responsibility for India’s results.

“It's tough for the coach. I think players need to take more responsibility. One coach for all format has been the norm for years. You have to give time to any coach.”

Mishra said India’s Test squad includes several inexperienced players and that building a successful team takes time. He compared the situation with Rahul Dravid’s early period in charge, saying it took “1-1.5 years” for Dravid to establish himself before performances improved.

“A coach's job is to guide, plan, but players have to execute,” Mishra added. He also urged the players to understand changing pitch conditions, manage pressure and adapt to match situations.

Selection and batting-order changes questioned

India’s tactics have also attracted criticism, particularly the lack of a settled number-three batter. Karun Nair, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal and Washington Sundar have all been used in that position during the recent period.

Mishra said the team management was attempting to identify the best combination rather than making changes without thought. He pointed to the possibility that Sundar had been selected at number three because the management believed he suited the conditions and the team balance.

“Give them time,” Mishra said. “They're trying to find the best combination for 11 in Tests.”

WTC qualification hopes fading

India sit fifth in the 2025-27 World Test Championship table with 48.15% of available points, leaving their prospects of reaching the final for a second consecutive cycle in serious doubt.

The next challenges include a two-Test tour of Sri Lanka beginning on August 15, a two-match series in New Zealand and a five-Test Border-Gavaskar series against Australia at the start of 2027. Those fixtures will determine whether Gambhir’s red-ball project can recover, but Mishra believes the coach should be allowed time to develop the group.