Gambhir vs Dravid: Could India have pulled off Kanpur heist under former coach?

The Green Park Stadium in Kanpur has hosted two starkly different Test matches in recent times — one in 2021 and the other in 2024. Both posed challenges for India, but the outcomes were worlds apart.
In November 2021, under Rahul Dravid’s newly minted tenure as head coach, India came tantalisingly close to victory against New Zealand but were forced to settle for a hard-fought draw. The match saw New Zealand’s last-wicket pair bat out close to 10 overs to deny India a win. In contrast, in October 2024, led by Gautam Gambhir in his first home Test series as head coach, India pulled off a remarkable victory against Bangladesh in a rain-curtailed Test, becoming the first Indian side to win a Test match in which two full days of play were washed out.
Dravid’s first Test as coach of the Indian cricket team in Kanpur was a closely contested affair. India, after scoring 345 in their first innings, bowled out New Zealand for 296, securing a 49-run lead. The team, however, found themselves in a tricky position at 51 for 5 in their second innings. It was Shreyas Iyer (65), Wriddhiman Saha (61), and Axar Patel (28) who managed to steady the ship, taking India to 234 for 7 before declaring late on Day 4. Critics questioned the timing of the declaration, as it left New Zealand with enough time to save the match.
On Day 5, despite India’s best efforts, the Black Caps managed to bat through the day, with their last pair holding on for a memorable draw. Many pointed to the lack of urgency in India’s batting and the late declaration as reasons for the missed opportunity.
Fast forward to October 2024, the Test match against Bangladesh was meandering towards a damp draw. After wet weather wiped out nearly three days of play, India found themselves in a race against time to secure a victory over Bangladesh. The visiting team resumed their first innings only on Day 4—at 107 for 3—and were bowled out for 233, giving India a narrow window to force a result.
What followed was a display of breathtaking aggression. India scored 285 runs in just 34.4 overs in a little over a session on Day 4—at an astonishing 8.22 runs per over, the fastest team innings (minimum 100 runs) in Test history. With captain Rohit Sharma showing the way, the team smashed records for the fastest 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 in Test cricket. India declared with a 52-run lead and proceeded to bowl Bangladesh out for a second time on Day 5.
Coach Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma were both elated when Rishabh Pant struck the winning runs, securing victory with a session to spare. India needed just six sessions to defeat a hapless Bangladesh side, which struggled to respond to India’s aggressive onslaught. The dominant start to India’s home Test season has given wings to the dreams of fans, who witnessed the highs and lows of the senior national team during Rahul Dravid’s tenure as head coach.
By no means does the stark difference between the two Kanpur Tests reflect negatively on Dravid’s legacy as the head coach in Tests.
Gambhir and Dravid stand at opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to body language. Gambhir wore his heart on his sleeve, while Dravid approached the game with monk-like composure. Both men poured their hearts into serving the team’s interests.
As a coach, Dravid rarely displayed his emotions. He was guarded during press interactions, never revealing more than what was already apparent. Even when selection debates or controversies arose, Dravid, in his characteristic style, kept his cards close to his chest, leaving plenty of room for speculation. In contrast, Gautam Gambhir has been more candid in his responses during his first few media conferences.
“The best style is the winning style,” Gambhir stated before his first assignment as Test coach, and he has certainly walked the talk over the past two weeks.
During Dravid’s tenure, India played 24 Tests, winning 14 of them, with seven losses, including two at home. The team drew only three times during this period and reached the final of the World Test Championship in 2023, where they ultimately lost to Australia in the summit clash.
Was the Kanpur Test of 2021 merely a one-off for Rahul Dravid? It certainly appears that way.
In 2022, during a rain-affected Test match in Port of Spain, India adopted an aggressive batting strategy in the second innings, aiming for a favourable outcome. They scored 181 runs in just 24 overs, achieving an impressive rate of over seven runs per over. However, India was unable to secure a win as rain completely washed out the final day’s play.
Dravid’s first overseas tour as coach was disappointing, with South Africa sweeping the Test series 2-0, marking the end of India’s glorious overseas run. However, India redeemed themselves in the 2023-24 tour, returning home with a hard-fought 1-1 draw.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy victory in 2023 was crucial, as India fended off a formidable challenge from Australia, winning the series 3-0. Under the guidance of Rohit and Dravid, India was clinical in their performance.
Earlier this year, India played fearless cricket during a highly anticipated five-match Test series against England. The pressure was palpable, especially with the absence of their star player, Virat Kohli, as England arrived in the subcontinent brimming with confidence. The cricketing world was eager to see if the much-talked-about “Bazball” strategy could end India’s impressive home run. However, it did not. Dravid and Rohit’s measured approach effectively deflated the hype and exposed the flaws in England’s all-out aggressive strategy.
Despite the ups and downs, Rahul Dravid concluded his coaching tenure on a high note, playing a pivotal role in India’s T20 World Cup triumph in June in the USA and the West Indies.
Dravid’s role in India’s white-ball redemption is undeniable. Among his most significant achievements were instilling role clarity for players and helping the team overcome the fear of failure.
Following the disappointment of the 2022 T20 World Cup, Dravid and Rohit emphasised these principles, allowing their players greater freedom. This strategy yielded positive results, as India nearly captured the home World Cup, dominating the tournament until the final against Australia. The team did not stray from their course after the heartbreak of November 19; their persistence paid off as India ended an 11-year-long wait for an ICC trophy under the management duo of Dravid and Rohit.
Dravid’s steady hand guided India through a challenging phase in world cricket, and his influence will undoubtedly continue to shape the team in the years to come.
The combination of Gambhir and Rohit holds promise for a brighter future. The captain-coach duo will face their toughest challenge in Australia later this year. If India can continue displaying the intent they demonstrated in Kanpur, a hat-trick of Test series wins Down Under could very well become a reality in January.