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South Africa’s Test captain Temba Bavuma shared his perspective on the challenges facing India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir. Bavuma noted that Gambhir is likely feeling significant pressure as he navigates a period of transition for India’s Test squad. However, he suggested that the team's strong performances in limited-overs formats might provide Gambhir with the necessary 'breathing room' to stabilise and rebuild the red-ball side.
Gautam Gambhir has a lot of pressure on his shoulders: Temba Bavuma
Bavuma’s insights come on the heels of South Africa’s impressive 2-0 Test series victory over India in November. Despite that setback in the longest format, the Proteas captain acknowledged that India remains a formidable power in white-ball cricket. He highlighted the continued presence and influence of veteran stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as a primary reason for India's ongoing dominance in the ODI arena.
The resilience of India's white-ball units was on full display during the subsequent home series against South Africa. India bounced back from their Test defeat to secure a 2-1 victory in the ODI series, fueled by a vintage display of scoring from Kohli and Rohit. This momentum carried over into the shortest format, where the T20I squad, captained by Suryakumar Yadav, convincingly defeated Bavuma’s side with a 3-1 series win.
“You saw how India performed in the ODI space with their two stalwarts, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, versus in the Test game, where those two weren’t available for selection. When it comes to the red-ball stuff, India are definitely a team in transition,” Bavuma wrote in an ESPNcricinfo column.
“India coach Gautam Gambhir has a lot of pressure on his shoulders, and I think he is going to have to take it as it comes. He is going to have to find a way to buy himself time in the red-ball game, and I’m of the view that the performances in white-ball cricket may assist him,” he added.
As per Bavuma, Gambhir and his squad are likely facing a strenuous road ahead in the Test arena. With several positions in the starting line-up still up for grabs, Bavuma anticipates a period of adjustment and hard work as the team looks to solidify its red-ball identity during this transitional phase. On the other hand, the South African captain believe the path to the 2027 ODI World Cup looks considerably smoother for the head coach. Bavuma noted that the continued presence of seasoned veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma provides a stabilizing force, which should help alleviate some of the immediate pressure on Gambhir while he manages the team's evolution.
“In ODIs, Kohli and Rohit will naturally take on a lot more responsibility from a performance and leadership point of view. So I think Gambhir will be okay in terms of his position. However, from a red-ball point of view, it’s going to be tough for this Indian team in the near future,” he further stated.
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BCCI want Gambhir to be successful over a period of two to four years: Bavuma
Bavuma expressed his belief that split coaching is not a viable path for the Indian national team across different formats. He suggested that having separate coaches for red-ball and white-ball cricket is likely not in the cards, noting that India's leadership structure typically favors a unified approach under a single head coach.
Furthermore, Bavuma reckoned that the decision-makers within the BCCI didn’t appoint Gambhir with a short-term fix in mind. He believes the board is looking at the bigger picture, indicating that Gambhir has been given a long-term mandate to oversee the team's transition and success over the coming years.
“They want him to be successful over a period of two to four years. In that period, things are not going to be all good all the time. It needs to be about the long term. There will be opportunities for players at domestic level, and there are spaces up for grabs within the Test team,” Bavuma concluded.
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