Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has defended head coach Gautam Gambhir amid growing criticism following India's Test series defeat to South Africa. This marked the third consecutive Test series loss under Gambhir's coaching tenure. Gavaskar emphasized that players, not coaches, bear responsibility for on-field performances. He questioned why Gambhir received no credit for recent tournament victories but faces blame for losses. India lost the series opener at Eden Gardens by 30 runs in a low-scoring encounter. The second Test in Guwahati saw South Africa dominate completely, defeating India by 408 runs to win a Test series in India after 25 years. The all-format series that began on November 14 includes three ODIs and five T20Is, concluding on December 19. Gambhir's future as coach remains uncertain pending the series outcome.
Gavaskar Questions Selective Criticism of Coach
Sunil Gavaskar argued that once players step onto the field, performance responsibility lies with them rather than the coach. Speaking to India Today, he highlighted the inconsistency in evaluating Gambhir's tenure. Gavaskar pointed out that critics did not acknowledge Gambhir for the 2025 Champions Trophy win or the 2025 Asia Cup triumph. He stated that ignoring victories while focusing solely on defeats is unfair. Social media has seen intense discussion about Gambhir's coaching role, with fans and cricket experts criticizing the decline in India's home Test dominance. Gavaskar believes coaches prepare and guide teams, but execution depends entirely on players during matches.
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