'Everyone is talking about him...': Sitanshu Kotak defends Gautam Gambhir amidst criticism for India's defeat to South Africa in 1st Test

India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak feels that Gautam Gambhir shouldn't be the one to take all the blame for the defeat to South Africa in the first Test. This comes after the head coach has faced sharp criticism over the team's dismal Test record under his guidance in the longest format. Ever since Gambhir took over, the Men in Blue have won just two Tests on home soil out of six.

However, Kotak feels that Gambhir isn't the only one to blame for the loss to South Africa and remarked that the batters, bowlers and support staff could have done things differently. Another reason why Gambhir faced criticism was due to the fact that he defended the Eden Gardens even though many found it to be not suitable for batting.

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"Everyone is talking about Gautam Gambhir. No one is saying that the batsmen, the bowlers or the support staff could have done things differently," Kotak said in a press-conference.

Kotak on criticism around Eden pitch curator

Kotak also shared his views on the criticism around Eden Gardens pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee. He feels the curator cannot take all the blame for the poor track and added that even the team management hadn't expected the pitch to have so much turn and that in the first 2-3 days of the Test.

"We haven't blamed the Eden pitch on the curator. Every team plays to its strengths. We didn't expect the pitch to turn so much so early," Kotak stated.

India hope to avoid series loss

Meanwhile, India will be hoping to bounce back from the 30-run defeat in first Test to South Africa. The second and final match of the series will be played at the Barsapara stadium in Guwahati from November 22. It will be essential for the Men in Blue to win the match in order to avoid a humiliating series defeat at home to the Proteas.

Gill to not play 2nd Test?

But, India are likely to have suffered a big blow even before the commencement of the second Test as skipper Shubman Gill is expected to miss the match due to injury. According to a report by The Indian Express, Gill hasn't fully recovered from the neck injury that he sustained during the first Test and thus, will not be taking part in the upcoming match. In his place, Rishabh Pant will be the one to lead the hosts.