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What Is the Gautam Gambhir ‘Curse’? The Weapon That Could Upset India’s Plans vs Sri Lanka

Sanjeev Kumar | August 11, 2026 1:22 PM CST

The battle lines have been drawn and the Test series between India and is set to start in Galle on August 15. India will be boosted by the fact that skipper Shubman Gill is fit after he had an injury scare during practice some days back.

On paper, India are the clear favourites. But there is one factor that could go against them. A 'curse' in their own camp and a jinx they have struggled to break. Yes, we speak of .

The Fall in the Midst of the Rise

Under Gambhir, India have won two ICC titles. But in the midst of all that they have fallen to new depths across formats, especially Tests, too much for comfort. men cannot help but be wary about it. India have not lost a Test series vs Sri Lanka since 2008 or a Test match since 2015 but the Gambhir 'curse' could undo it all. It's happened before.

Gautam Gambhir's 'Hall of Shame'

During Gambhir's tenure as coach, India have gone winless in ODIs in a calendar year for the first time since 1979, have lost an ODI bilateral series vs Sri Lanka after 27 years, have lost a home Test vs New Zealand after 36 years, lost a first-ever home Test series vs New Zealand, been whitewashed at home in a Test series after 25 years, lost a Test series vs Australia after 10 years, lost a home Test vs South Africa after 15 years, lost a home Test series vs South Africa after 25 years, suffered two home Test whitewashes in two consecutive calendar years, lost first-ever home ODI series vs New Zealand, lost first-ever T20I game vs Ireland and lost first-ever T20I series vs Ireland. Now that are 12 points that can be put in Gambhir's 'Hall of Shame'.

India's Recent Domination in Tests vs Sri Lanka

In India's last six Test series vs Sri Lanka, they have won five and drawn one between 2009 to 2022. In that period, Sri Lanka have won just two Tests while India have won 11. Four games have been drawn. Clearly one side has dominated. In the last 10 Tests, India have won eight while Sri Lanka have no victories. But all that could change because of the 'curse'.

A Pattern That Cannot Be Ignored

Not once is this a reflection on Gambhir as a coach or his credentials to mentor Team India. It's just a highlight of a pattern that has happened too often to be ignored. If India can come out on top in this series, they can prove that they are getting past the jinx. They avoided it vs West Indies last year. Time for an encore.

India's Remaining Tests in WTC 2025-27 Cycle

If India can inflict a whitewash, it would boost their position on the WTC Points Table. But a loss could virtually end their hopes of playing in the summit clash in 10 months or so. After this, India play a two-Test series in New Zealand before hosting Australia in a five-match Test series. Victories here and in New Zealand would give them the momentum against the best Test side in the world. But that is too far away to think about. Gill's immediate objective is to triumph in Sri Lanka as India return to the island after nine years to play a Test series.