The Test results of India in the recent past have cast serious questions on the leadership, preparation and vision. Gambhir has achieved success in white-ball games, however, the red-ball team has failed many times in succession - technical weaknesses, inability to cope with the pressure, tactical failures, poor performances in the series have become common phenomena. In this regard, this request of a new coach is not only reactive but is a call to fix the structure. A coach who has a tested-level understanding, experience in the career, and new strategic perspective would redefine the red-ball ambition of India. That being the case, the following are six overseas former international icons who may fill the vacancy of the next Indian Test head coach - each with a different strength to the bench. Former players who could replace Gautam Gambhir as India’s new Test head coach VVS Laxman Image Source : Getty Images VVS Laxman is still regarded as one of the most reputed Test batsmen in India - respected because of his artistry, stamina, and classical style when faced with pressure. After his retirement, he has been employed in the grooming team in the highest level: as the head of the national academy, managing the India A and U-19 teams, and as a key figure in developing new talent. Remarkably, he has substituted as acting coach of the senior team several times, and headed India teams in shorter competitions with a lot of success. The aspect that is strong with Laxman is not only his personal prowess as a batsman, but as a guide to young batsmen, his knowledge of what the subcontinent pitch is, and his ability to take things in stride when faced with adverse circumstances. Given the full-time position, Laxman would be able to lead the Indian Test team into a revival - an amalgamation of technical discipline, temperament and fresh blood of domestic employees. He has an in-depth understanding of the Indian cricket system and has been revered across generations and is therefore adequately placed to restore the confidence of the red-ball out of its internal contents. Also Read | India National Cricket Team Coaches List [ 1971–2025 ] Anil Kumble Image Source : Getty Images Anil Kumble has made a bowler brain take the number one position in the job and this is a significant strength to any team that is normally unable to develop a steady bowling attack. When he last played the head coach in India, the Test record was one of the best: the high win rate, strictness in bowling rotations, and goodness in tactical sense under any circumstances. It is possible that under Kumble, India revisits the concept of performance balance, i.e. good pace/spin combinations, good follow-through and good match strategies. His profound knowledge of bowling, field placements, and wicket-taking plans makes him the best candidate to work on to resuscitate India in terms of attack especially when it comes to overseas tours. In addition, his composed, logical approach and track record may inculcate a fresh purpose and responsibility in the squad. Mahela Jayawardene Image Source : Getty Images Going international with the search results in the inclusion of Mahela Jayawardene a legendary batsman, whose coaching career has been characterized by both domestic and international exposure. After coaching successful franchises in the IPL, representing foreign countries as a batting consultant and coaching under diverse conditions and diverse cultural environments, Jayawardene is a combination of traditional batting intuition and new coaching sensibilities. His strength is in flexibility - shaping men to fit any style and still maintaining red-ball discipline and temperament. Foreign coach as Jayawardene has the potential to introduce perspective, break the current orthodoxies, and provide India with the global experience of the Test set up. His expertise and performance with franchise cricket, as well as his talent to coach young and senior players, might assist India to become more dynamic and psychologically tough Test team. Tom Moody Image Source : ESPN Tom Moody has a career as a coach that stretches across the globe in terms of his continent, leagues, and format and this provides him with a global perspective a valuable asset to India which now travels everywhere. Being a long-time coach of international teams and a franchise leader in competitive leagues, Moody has a vision of how to handle diverse team formation, how to move players in and out, and how to prepare to meet diverse conditions. Even in the case of the Test team of India, particularly with the inconsistency at the moment, Moody may provide systemic balance: the focus on fitness, mental resilience, work control, and a new culture of coaching. His experience in cross-cultural and his strategic elasticity would enable the Indian players to adapt fast during foreign tours, be able to cope with the pressure, and acquire flexibility necessary in the requirements of Test cricket. Sourav Ganguly Image Source : BCCI Sourav Ganguly is a blend of leadership, experience, and administration of cricket- a very important ingredient of a turnaround. Having served India as a captain, long-term international player and even in the position of the BCCI President, he has experienced Indian cricket in various perspectives. After his retirement, he has participated in coaching and mentorship, and today he coaches a franchise side, which, nevertheless, keeps him in touch with the current trends in T20. The strengths that Ganguly would have are in team management, motivation, managing expectations and forming mentality. His confidence, aggressive thinking and communicating skills would revive the fighting spirit in the Test squad. Red-ball coaching might be different to his latest work, but his leadership approach and long term outlook could inject in bold decision taking, character building and recovery of competitive hunger. Andy Flower Image Source : Getty Images Andy Flower is one such coach in the world that has an impressive record of being a coach of top performing teams under all circumstances. He not only managed to coach England national team to Ashes wins but also has extensive experience of nurturing batting lineups, development of talents and handling of high pressure situation. Flower, as an outsourced coach, might introduce new methodology, new-fangled analytics, and new training techniques. Having worked with the best cricketing countries in the world and having also been exposed to both pace and spin-heavy attack, he has an idea of how to create a balanced Test team that would be able to adapt to any challenge. In case India chooses to have a global outlook, Flower has the potential to trigger tactical, cognitive, and cultural development. Also Read | Gautam Gambhir Net Worth: Homes, Car Collection & More Conclusion It is not just a matter of replacing the name of Gautam Gambhir but rather a matter of reinventing the Indian Test cricket culture during a crisis. The above six candidates, Laxman, Kumble, Jayawardene, Moody, Ganguly and Flower, possess different strong points; technical wisdom, bowling strategy, global exposure, leadership, adaptability and innovative coaching frameworks. India requires most of all drive, strategic consistency, mental strength, and long-term thinking. This is regardless of whether the BCCI wants to have a home-grown legend or a worldwide coaching icon, the new coach will be charged with the responsibility of repairing character, developing talent, and recovering the red-ball tradition. With the selection panel deliberating, this much is obviously obvious, the decision will define the new generation of Indian Test cricket. This would be a wise choice that would rekindle hope; a bad choice would only increase the downturn.