India's legendary spinner Ravichandran Ashwin backed head coach Gautam Gambhir, who is currently facing a lot of criticism after the team's 0-2 home Test series defeat against South Africa. Ashwin, who already retired from all formats of professional cricket, reckons that it is not right to call for his sacking at a time when not enough responsibility has been shouldered by the players.
Why is Gambhir facing criticism?
India suffered a batting collapse in the two-Test match series, where the Men in Blue failed to chase down 124 runs in the first Test in Kolkata and the Temba Bavuma-led side registered a dominating 408 runs in the second Test in Guwahati. Gambhir, who joined the India squad after the T20 World Cup 2024, faced criticism because of his planning and push for all-rounders in the squad, which has affected its balance.
Ashwin's take on Gambhir's future
There are even calls that the BCCI should sack Gambhir after this defeat because this is India's second series whitewash on home soil in 12 months, but Ashwin said the former opener, who has a contract till 2027, does not deserve to be removed.
“Why are we doing this? It’s a sport. Managing a team cannot be that easy. And yes, he is hurting too. We must understand that. It might feel nice to get someone sacked, but that’s not how it should be,” Ashwin said in his Youtube show ‘Ash ki Baat’.
“I’ve never been that kind of person. It’s not about supporting anyone, Gautam is not my relative. I could also point out 10 mistakes. Yes, mistakes happen, but anybody can make them. It’s just that when they cost you, they become very expensive,” he added.
Ashwin on the coach's responsibility
Ashwin, who announced his international retirement in Australia during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 said that he understands the need to pin responsibility given India’s formidable home record in the past but it is unfair to only target the coach and not ask questions of the players.
“We want to ask for responsibility. It’s easy, because in Indian cricket, you know it and I know it — there’s a lot to gain and a lot of money involved,” he said.
“So many people are ready to take the job, and there will always be people putting their hat in the ring. But the fact is, a coach cannot pick up the bat and go out to play.
“What can a coach do? I’m asking you a simple question. Put yourself in the coach’s position. You may say a player needs continuity and that there has been a lot of rotation, fine, agreed. But the skill to play and perform is the player’s responsibility,” he added.
After losing the two-Test match series against South Africa, Team India will face the same opponent in the three-match ODI series, followed by a five-match T20I series, which will start from November 30. The first ODI will take place at JSCA Stadium in Ranchi.
India vs South Africa ODI schedule
| ODI Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | 30 November 2025 | JSCA International Stadium, Ranchi |
| 2nd ODI | 3 December 2025 | Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium, Raipur |
| 3rd ODI | 6 December 2025 |
Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA‑VDCA Stadium, Visakhapatnam |
India's ODI squad against South Africa
Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul (C) (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Dhruv Jurel.