India coach Gautam Gambhir has called for more three-match Test series, arguing that two-Test series—like the one his team is currently engaged in against Sri Lanka—do not allow for full narratives to unfold. Specifically, he emphasized that teams should have the opportunity to bounce back from an early loss to potentially win the series. “Ideally, I would advocate for a three-match Test series,” Gambhir stated in Colombo ahead of the second Test. His team is leading this series after a 165-run victory in Galle. He noted, “I’ve always believed that there should always be a possibility for a team losing the first Test to come back and win the series. You can’t do that in a two-Test series—the most you can achieve is a draw.”
A short turnaround between Tests is acceptable, as other teams are also adopting this format.
Though leading this series, India has previously had to recover from a 1-0 deficit during their 2015 tour of Sri Lanka. Gambhir referenced India’s 2020-21 comeback during the Border-Gavaskar series against Australia as an example. Despite losing the opening match in Adelaide, India won in Melbourne, drew in Sydney, and secured victory in Brisbane.
“I still recall that series where India was one down but managed to reclaim the series 2-1. Normally, three Test matches offer significant value in such scenarios,”
Beyond India, Australia, and England, most Test-playing nations schedule only two-Test series, even against India. Sri Lanka, for instance, has only six two-match series in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle. Reigning champions South Africa similarly had a limited schedule during their championship-winning cycle.
