Team India's Calendar: A Look At Head Coach Gautam Gambhir's Challenges Across Formats

Former opener and left-hand batter Gautam Gambhir was named as the new head coach of the India men's team on Tuesday. Indian cricket is bracing up for a new era as the celebrations of the T20 World Cup triumph settle down. Retirements of stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from T20Is aside, a major change that affects the team across all three formats came when Rahul Dravid stepped down after a memorable tenure as head coach. The unassuming Indian legend took the team to heights in his three years as head coach, guiding the team to the final of the ICC events in all three formats - the ICC World Test Championship, the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup and the ICC Men's T20 World.

Only one of those might have brought home a trophy, but it was no easy journey to reach the decisive clash each time around.

Coming in to replace Dravid is Gautam Gambhir, who has quite a connection to big titles. He played a starring role in India's title triumphs in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in 2007 and the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in 2011. He also captained Kolkata Knight Riders to IPL title victories in 2012 and 2014 and later mentored the team to another title win in 2024.

Gambhir, though, takes over the reins of an Indian team that's already near the top of the world. A packed calendar across formats awaits Gambhir and the Indian team.

We take a look at what Gambhir will have on his agenda in the three formats.

Tests:

Unlike ODIs and T20Is, India isn't at the top of the ICC Men's Test Team Rankings. They have reached the final of the two ICC World Test Championships, but couldn't place their hands on the mace.

India comes off the back of a brilliant Test series win against England at home, the 4-1 scoreline seeing the team top the