Gautam Gambhir Optimistic About India's World Test Championship Prospects

Gautam Gambhir, head coach of the Indian cricket team, remains hopeful about qualifying for the World Test Championship final. He emphasizes the importance of winning the upcoming series against New Zealand and Australia. Currently positioned fifth in the standings, India aims to improve their performance after a recent series win against Sri Lanka. Gambhir highlights the significance of these matches, particularly the challenge of winning in New Zealand for the first time in nearly two decades. He also discusses the team's preparation to counter spin bowling, which has been a struggle in recent series. With a focus on winning every Test, Gambhir believes that success in these series will enhance India's chances of reaching the WTC final.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 23, 2026, 23:13 IST

Gambhir's Confidence in Team's Performance

Gautam Gambhir, the head coach of the Indian cricket team, expressed optimism regarding the team's chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. He emphasized that securing victories in the upcoming series against New Zealand and Australia is crucial for their aspirations. In a conversation with JioStar, Gambhir highlighted the team's current focus on these series and the necessity of winning each Test match.

Current Standings and Upcoming Matches

Presently, India ranks fifth in the World Test Championship (2025-2027) standings, having achieved five wins, four losses, and two draws from 11 matches. Despite a recent 1-0 series victory over Sri Lanka, India's points percentage declined due to a draw in the second match, placing them fifth ahead of the Test series against New Zealand, which begins on November 19.

India is set to play two Tests against New Zealand in November and December, followed by a five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia from January to March. Gambhir noted that while six wins would be ideal for qualification, five victories could suffice depending on other match outcomes. He reiterated the team's commitment to winning every Test, stating that success in the upcoming series would significantly enhance their chances of reaching the final.

Importance of Upcoming Series

Gambhir described both series as formidable challenges, particularly highlighting the significance of potentially winning a Test series in New Zealand for the first time in nearly two decades. He remarked, "It's not true that we need to win six; five could also keep us in contention, but every Test match is vital. Winning both series would give us the best chance to qualify for the WTC final."

He reflected on India's historical struggles in New Zealand, recalling the last series win there around 2006 or 2007, and emphasized the importance of this achievement for a young team.

Preparation for Spin Challenges

The Indian Test squad has faced challenges against spin in home conditions, an area where they previously excelled. Following a 0-3 defeat to New Zealand in the 2024-25 home series and a 0-2 loss to South Africa in the 2025-26 season, the team struggled against spin bowling.

However, Gambhir noted that improved preparation allowed the team to handle spin more effectively during their recent series against Sri Lanka, where they scored over 400 runs in both matches. He attributed this success to a dedicated 10-day preparation period focused on countering spin, contrasting it with the limited practice time before the South Africa series.

Looking ahead, Gambhir stressed the importance of thorough preparation for the New Zealand and Australia series, particularly in managing spin effectively.