Gautam Gambhir Unwilling To Quit Even After 2027 World Cup, New Target Sighted

Gautam Gambhir for India [Source: AFP]

The Indian cricket team, especially the T20I unit, is currently under focus after a humiliating Ireland and England whitewash. The team management and the head coach, Gautam Gambhir, were supposed to be under scrutiny. 

However, recent reports suggested that the mentor of the team has apparently escaped any harsh impositions, while players will have to face tough examinations after the poor series turnout.

Although the Men in Blue lifted the T20 World Cup 2026 under Gambhir, the defeat in Europe had the internet divided over the opinion on the sacking of Gautam Gambhir as the India head coach. Nevertheless, the latest reports share that instead of getting the axe, Gambhir is supposedly set to continue even after the 2027 World Cup.

Gautam Gambhir set to continue as coach after 2027

As per a recent report from the X handle of ABP News journalist G.S. Vivek, Gambhir has set his sights on the LA 2028 Olympics to prepare the team for the tournament and is apparently eyeing a gold medal. 

As per Vivek, Gambhir has revealed his intention to work at least till the 2028 Olympics, which automatically calls for a one-year contract extension of the coach. For the unaware, India is likely to automatically qualify for the Olympics since the committee draws teams on the basis of ICC’s global rankings. 

There will be only six teams in the tournament, and India will have to maintain their top spot as the No. 1 Asian side in the T20I format by December 2026 if they want to automatically qualify for the tournament. Meanwhile, the Women’s team have already got the green light and qualified for the LA 2028 Olympics.

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Why can't Gambhir be sacked as the head coach so soon?

Gautam Gambhir has led India to multiple ICC trophies. Under him, the Men in Blue have won the Champions Trophy 2025 and the T20 World Cup 2026. The Asia Cup have also been won under him, which calls for his success in major tournaments.

Apparently, the Board of Control for Cricket in India reviews the performance of coaches and their staff based on trophies and titles and not on bilateral series alone. 

Hence, there is a massive chance that Gambhir will survive his contract with a likelihood of a 1-year extension as well if India manages to win the World Test Championship or the ODI World Cup 2027 under him.

How has India performed in bilaterals under Gambhir?

India have also enjoyed several dominant bilateral series results under the current regime. Since July 10, 2024, the Men in Blue have won multiple series across formats. They began this phase with a T20I series win against Zimbabwe and later whitewashed the hosts 3-0. 

India then went on to win the Sri Lanka T20I series, followed by successful campaigns against Bangladesh and other opponents in the shortest format. Apart from a few disappointing Test series results, India consistently dominated in both ODIs and T20Is until the setbacks against England and Ireland. 

In 2025, the Bangladesh Test series ended in a draw, while India defeated West Indies 2-0 in another bilateral contest. One of the heartbreaking setbacks came in an ODI series vs New Zealand where India lost two matches and conceded the series in January 2026. 

Overall, the Indian men's cricket team have won 61 of their 95 matches across all formats under coach Gautam Gambhir, while losing 29.

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