Trisha Ghosal in Birmingham
The roar that rippled through Edgbaston on Sunday wasn’t just a celebration of India’s record 336-run victory over England; it was a collective exhale, a sigh of relief that swept through the press box and settled deep within the soul of Gautam Gambhir, the head coach. From the writer’s perch high above the manicured turf, one could almost feel the burden lift from his shoulders as the final wicket fell, sealing India’s first-ever Test win at this storied venue.
For a man whose white-ball coaching tenure gleams with the recent Champions Trophy triumph and an enviable T20I record (13 wins from 15, a 90% success rate), his red-ball journey had until now resembled a punishing ascent. The summit of the 2026 World Test Championship Final may be distant, but this was the first firm foothold.
Until this Edgbaston statement, Gambhir’s Test coaching record was stark: just 3 wins from 11 matches, alongside 7 defeats and a solitary draw, a sobering win rate of 27.27%. Early promise against Bangladesh at home offered fleeting optimism. But the storms came thick and fast. First, a humiliating 0–3 home drubbing against New Zealand shattered India’s aura of domestic dominance. Then, a bruising 1–3 series loss in Australia during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a misstep that dented the previous WTC cycle, tested the mettle of team and coach alike.
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This England series, however, marks a fresh ascent. After a shaky start at Leeds, India’s thunderous 336-run demolition at Edgbaston was more than a levelling of scores. It was a statement. A decisive boot driven into the rockface of a new climb. From the press box, the writer could see conviction etched across Gambhir’s face, even during selection debates. His faith in a rejuvenated attack, notably Akash Deep, whose 10/187 was the stuff of dreams, paid rich dividends. Resting Jasprit Bumrah may have raised eyebrows, but now looks like part of a larger, well-thought-out strategy.
For Gambhir, Edgbaston isn’t just a result. It’s a rebuttal to sceptics, to setbacks, to the statistics. It is the moment his Test blueprint found its foundation. This historic triumph, forged in challenge and delivered with clarity, may not be the final peak but it is undeniably the first step. The echoes from Edgbaston won’t just be about the margin, but the momentum.
Onwards to London — with belief restored.
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