India, Nov. 28 -- D Gukesh hasn't been at his best since becoming the youngest-ever World Champion in December last year. The reigning World Champion faced a third-round exit at the Chess World Cup and hasn't won a tournament since defeating Ding Liren in Singapore.

2025 has been a topsy-turvy year for him, but he has also had some highs, like his victories against Magnus Carlsen and coming second at the Tata Masters in Wijk aan Zee. But his defeat to Germany's Frederik Svane in Goa has raised some question marks. Will he successfully defend his World Championship title next year?

Speaking to The Indian Express, Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra weighed in on Gukesh's performance this year, and felt that it wasn't a reason to worry....