Gautam Gambhir’s tenure is reaching a peak, with recent successes at ICC events such as The Champions Trophy and T20 World Cup, has put him on a successful coach pedestal. However, former cricketer Sourav Ganguly has sent a stark warning to Gambhir saying that ‘real test’ is yet to come and i.e the 50-over World Cup in South Africa.

India hit peak form at the right time after a few hiccups early on in the tournament as they convincingly defended their T20 World Cup crown. The victory also bolstered Gambhir’s credentials as a white-ball tactician and gave another feather in his cricket legacy cap, having been part of India’s ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 winning team as a player.

Sourav Ganguly says the 2027 World Cup will be the real test

Sourav Ganguly, however, said that it remains to be seen whether he would be successful in his new role, as the real test of his coaching credentials will come during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027, which will take place in South Africa.

Ganguly explained how these South African conditions would test Gambhir as well as the Indian team to their extreme and on speaking in an interview with Boria Majumdar for Moneycontrol, the former cricketer said.

“His true examination in white ball is going to come in South Africa in 2027. There it will be challenging for him, but I am sure he will get the team with which he is right.” Ganguly said.

The quest for a 50-over ODI World Cup has started after the unceremonious defeat of India by Australia at their home ground.

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The 2027 edition may also be the last chance for senior veterans like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to win another ODI World Cup, making this campaign even more significant.

And while praising Gambhir’s white-ball successes, Ganguly also pointed the finger in terms of the areas that need development, especially in Test cricket. He said that the Indian team has worked a lot on spin-friendly wickets at home and they need to prepare for a better surface.

“He has to improve in red ball. It can be done if you concentrate less on the wicket. He has to shake off the wicket,” Ganguly said, referring to India’s difficulties in its recent series against England.

Despite all the criticism, Gambhir has established his position as a successful coach and expressed his confidence in himself as a leader, who needs time to set the Indian cricket team across formats.

Gambhir’s next priority, however, is the end of the Indian Premier League 2026 season. After the tournament concludes, it will be all eyes back to India coach, drawing focus back to the plans for the national side concerning both Test and ODI formats, as the shape of the 2027 ODI World Cup takes shape.