'They criticised Rahul Dravid, it didn't make sense...': Robin Uthappa's raw take on Gautam Gambhir's criticism after India's batting collapse in Kolkata Test

India head coach Gautam Gambhir is currently facing a lot of criticism after the team failed to chase 124 runs in the first Test match against South Africa at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Team India, featuring 10 batters with skipper Shubman Gill ruled out of the first Test due to a neck spasm, lost the clash by 30 runs.

Robin Uthappa for Gautam Gambhir

The clash was ended in three days as South Africa took 1-0 lead on a pitch that turned square from Day 1. Amid the massive backlash, the coach has found the backing of former cricketer Robin Uthappa, who finds it bemusing to blame a coach after a team's defeat.

"I saw a comment yesterday suggesting that I was defending GG. Yaar, coach thodi jaake khel raha hai andar (The coach is not playing out there)," Uthappa said in a YouTube live session.

"We are looking at the results and blaming a coach, but you have to look at the overall scenario. When they criticised Rahul Dravid, it didn't make sense to me. Scoring 20-30 thousand international runs is not easy. So, if he can be trolled, anyone can be trolled."

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Uthappa on spin-friendly pitch

Uthappa further stated that India doesn't prepare turning tracks in domestic cricket, saying that playing on wickets that turn on Day 4 and 5 can develop players who play well.

"We had neutral curators come and control the kind of wickets we were going to prepare. Because if a game got over in two days, the groundsmen and association were reprimanded. But here, matches are getting over in two-and-a-half days. However, you say no to those types of wickets in the Ranji Trophy," he said.

"You are not encouraged to prepare turning tracks. Even if you are going to prepare a progressively turning track, where there would be a lot of turn on Day 3 and Day 4, you can actually develop batters who are equipped to play well against spin. We have been discouraged from doing that in the past 10 years, and you are taking the players to task for not playing spin well. How will they play if they don't play matches in those conditions?"

Gautam Gambhir defended Kolkata pitch curator

India head coach Gautam Gambhir said that the pitch was developed with his instructions, but it was the team that failed to defend 124 runs. However, the CAB president exclusively told Sports Tak that it was not a great pitch to play a Test match.

India vs South Africa 2nd Test

The second Test match between India and South Africa will take place from November 22 to 26 at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati. There are chances that India will feature without regular Test skipper Shubman Gill, so in his absence, Rishabh Pant will lead the side.