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India’s legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar has defended head coach Gautam Gambhir who has been at the receiving end of criticism after India’s 2-0 Test series defeat to South Africa at home. After a 408-run defeat in Guwahati, Gambhir and the team management have tough questions to answer. But, like Gambhir listed out his achievements on the question of sacking asked in press conference, Gavaskar did the same. The cricketer-turned-commentator said that the players have to deliver in the middle, not the coach.
“He's a coach. The coach can prepare a team. The coach can tell, you know, a guy with his experience. But it's out there in the middle that the players have to deliver. Now, to those who are asking, you know, for him to be held accountable, my question, counter-question is: what did you do when India won the Champions Trophy under him? What did you do when India won the Asia Cup under him?" Gavaskar said in an interaction with India Today.
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“Did you say then—you're asking for a sacking now—did you say then that he should be given an extended contract, a contract for life for one day cricket and for T20 cricket? You didn't say that. It's only when a team doesn't do well you look at the coach,” Gavaskar added.
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Gavaskar gives McCullum’s example
Gavaskar cited England head coach Brendon McCullum's example to explain why Gambhir needs to say as head coach across formats despite underwhelming run in the red-ball format. He feels Gambhir does not get enough credit for the wins in white-ball cricket but often faces the ire when the team fails.
“Not necessarily. You have coaches, for example, Brendan McCullum is a coach for all three formats for England. A lot of countries have a coach who is there for all formats. But we tend to only look and point a finger at somebody when the team has lost,” the 76-year-old said.
“You're not prepared to give him credit. If you're not prepared to give him credit for the Champions Trophy and the Asia Cup win, then please tell me why you want to blame him for the team out there on that 22-yard, not doing well. Why are you blaming him?” he added.
Focus back on white-ball cricket
After the defeat in Guwahati, Team India slipped to fifth position of the WTC 2025-27 points table. They will not play a Test for next nine months. Their next Test series is on Sri Lankan soil. Meanwhile, the focus shifts back to white-ball cricket, especially T20Is with T20 World Cup 2026 a few months away.
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