Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has said that the “real test” for India head coach Gautam Gambhir is yet to come, despite the team’s recent success in international white-ball cricket. Ganguly noted that Gambhir’s biggest challenge will arrive during the 2027 Cricket World Cup in South Africa, where conditions could prove significantly tougher for the Indian side.

Gambhir recently made history by becoming the first Indian coach to win two ICC trophies in quick succession, adding the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 title to the team’s earlier triumph in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. India overcame early setbacks in the tournament before peaking at the right moment to secure back-to-back T20 World Cup victories, reinforcing Gambhir’s growing reputation as a successful coach in limited-overs cricket.

However, Ganguly stressed that success in the shorter formats does not guarantee similar results in the longer format of the game. Speaking in an interview with journalist Boria Majumdar, Ganguly said the real evaluation of Gambhir’s coaching abilities would come in South African conditions during the 2027 World Cup, which are known to test teams with pace-friendly pitches and challenging playing environments.

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India’s recent ODI World Cup campaign remains a painful memory for fans and players alike. The team dominated the 2023 Cricket World Cup, winning every match leading up to the final before losing to the Australia national cricket team in the title clash. The defeat left India still searching for its next 50-over World Cup triumph and added pressure on future campaigns.

The 2027 tournament could also represent the final opportunity for several senior players to secure another global title. Veterans such as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are expected to be among the experienced figures leading the squad, making the upcoming event particularly significant for the team’s long-term legacy in the format.

Ganguly also pointed out that India must improve its performance in Test cricket under Gambhir’s leadership. According to the former captain, the coaching staff should focus less on preparing overly spin-friendly pitches at home and instead aim for balanced surfaces that encourage quality cricket. Despite his constructive criticism, Ganguly expressed confidence in Gambhir’s abilities, stating that the coach has a strong squad and the potential to guide India to further success across formats.

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