Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir is facing criticism after England seized control of the fourth Test in Manchester, ending Day 3 with a commanding lead of 186 runs. With India trailing 1-2 in the five-match series, the visitors now need something close to a miracle to level things up.

It was, by all counts, India’s most disappointing day in the series, as Joe Root’s commanding 150 not only shattered records but also turned the match heavily in England’s favour. The hosts piled up a total that left India chasing shadows.

Fans and Experts Turn on Gambhir

Social media was abuzz with discontent, with many fans laying the blame squarely on Gambhir’s shoulders. Accusations included forcing senior pros like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma into premature retirements and overlooking in-form domestic players for the England tour.

Cricket experts joined in, questioning Gambhir’s influence on young captain Shubman Gill, who has shown flashes of brilliance but is struggling for consistency. Gill, notably, had single-handedly led India to victory at Edgbaston earlier in the series but lacked support in Manchester.

England Continue 500-Plus Domination Over India

The last time India conceded a 500-plus total away from home was during the 2015 Sydney Test, when Australia posted 572/7 declared, powered by centuries from David Warner and Steve Smith.

Since then, only England have breached the 500-run mark against India in Tests:

• 537 at Rajkot (2016): Root, Moeen Ali, and Ben Stokes all scored centuries.
• 578 at Chennai (2021): Headlined by Root’s double century (218).
• 528 at Manchester (2025): Another Root classic underlining England’s dominance.

How Day 3 Unfolded

England resumed Day 3 at 225/2, with Joe Root (11)* and Ollie Pope (20)* at the crease. The pair stitched together a century partnership, building on strong foundations laid by openers Ben Duckett (94 off 100) and Zak Crawley (84 off 113), both of whom punished Indian bowlers with aggressive strokeplay.

By lunch, England had cruised to 332/2, with Pope and Root reaching their half-centuries. In the second session, Washington Sundar (2/57) broke through, dismissing Pope for 71 and Harry Brook cheaply for 3. However, Ben Stokes and Root ensured there was no momentum shift.

Root reached his 38th Test hundred and, in doing so, surpassed Ricky Ponting to become the second-highest run-scorer in Test history, behind only Sachin Tendulkar. England went to tea at 433/4, with Stokes and Root looking unshakable.

To make matters worse for India, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj walked off the field during the session due to fitness concerns. Bumrah managed just one over with the second new ball.

In the final session, Stokes completed his fifty but later left the field with discomfort in his left leg. Root was eventually dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja after a brilliant 150 off 248 deliveries, an innings studded with 14 fours.

Bumrah and Siraj returned to claim the wickets of Jamie Smith (9) and Chris Woakes (4), reducing England to 528/7. But Stokes, returning to bat despite the injury, partnered with Liam Dawson (21)* to guide England safely through to stumps without further damage.

With just two days remaining and India still far behind, questions are mounting not just about on-field performance but about broader leadership and selection decisions. As the series slips away, Gautam Gambhir’s tenure is already facing serious scrutiny.