Michael Atherton warn Gambhir! '3 Test series defeats in a row will be...': England great fires warning to Gautam Gambhir ahead of fifth Test

With England leading the series 2-1 while heading into the fifth and final Test of the series against India, the visitors are on the cusp of suffering a third successive series defeat in red-ball cricket. The Men in Blue had recorded 0-3 and 1-3 series defeats in their previous two Test assignments against New Zealand and Australia respectively. Under the guidance of Gautam Gambhir, the team has won only won a single Test series so far which was against Bangladesh at home.

India have a dismal record under Gambhir in Tests

It is safe to say that India haven't had a great record in the longest format under head coach Gambhir, who took up the role in July, 2024. Ahead of the Oval Test which is set to commence from July 31, former England cricketer Michael Atherton reminded Gambhir of his poor record as coach in the red-ball format and remarked that the latter will be under immense pressure if India end up losing the ongoing series against the Three Lions as well.

“Well, they've lost two series in a row. They lost at home to New Zealand 3-0, and they lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 3-1. If they lose this series, then yeah, he's under pressure as a coach," Atherton said on Sky Sports Cricket.

“India, with all their resources, their population strength, they're not a team that people are patient with. They're expected to win every time they walk onto the park. So three Test series defeats in a row would be a problem for him,” he added.

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Meanwhile, India had lost out on making it to a third consecutive World Test Championship (WTC) final with their defeat to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar series 2024/25. They definitely won't be looking forward to kick-off their new WTC cycle by recording a series defeat against England which is why it is incredibly important for them to win the penultimate match against Ben Stokes & Co.

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The Men in Blue lost all their chances of winning the series against England after they recorded a draw in the previous match held in Manchester. The best they can do now is to level it up by emerging victorious in the fifth Test. However, the Three Lions will definitely be the favourites to lift the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy as even a draw in the upcoming match will see them win the series.