'I'm always under pressure' - India head coach Gautam Gambhir opens up ahead of IND vs ENG Tests

India is all set for a big challenge in England with a five-match Test series starting June 20. The team is entering a fresh phase with Shubman Gill as the new captain and Gautam Gambhir as the head coach who is still settling in.

Fans are eager but the road ahead looks intense. England’s aggressive style under Ben Stokes won’t be easy to handle for a new-look India side without Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, but the visitors are unlikely to back down without a fight.

For Gambhir, this is a crucial test for him as a coach after a poor start in Test Cricket, losing 3-0 to New Zealand at home, followed by a Border-Gavaskar Trophy series defeat in Australia.

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Before leaving for the England Test tour, Gambhir faced the media in a press conference and talked about the constant pressure he faces as head coach of that national team. Let’s take a look at what he said.

IND vs ENG Tests: Why did Gautam Gambhir say he’s always under pressure?

At the pre-tour press conference, Gambhir didn’t sugarcoat anything. He made it clear that pressure is always part of the job, whether the team is doing well or not.

He said, "I am always under pressure. It doesn’t matter whether the team is winning or losing, I am always under pressure."

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"After the New Zealand series, after the Australia series, even after winning the Champions Trophy, the pressure is always there. When you are part of the team as a coach, you want to win every game," he added.

Why is Gambhir facing pressure ahead of IND vs ENG Test series?

India’s Test form hasn’t been great in recent times. Ever since Gautam Gambhir took over as coach, the team has faced some tough moments.

The most disappointing one came in 2024, when India lost all three home Tests against New Zealand. No one expected that kind of result and it left fans shocked. Following that, India also went down 3-1 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.

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These losses have raised questions about the direction of the team and Gambhir’s approach. Now, with England’s Bazball style waiting and a fresh captain in Shubman Gill leading the charge, Gambhir knows that every result will be watched closely. 

Complete India vs England Test series 2025 schedule and fixtures