After the 2-0 defeat in the two-match series at the hands of South Africa, former cricketers and experts are raising questions on the role of Team India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir. However, according to an ANI report, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided that Gambhir will continue as the head coach.
India’s Test performance has been disappointing during Gambhir’s tenure as head coach. India could only draw 2-2 in their five-match series in England. Earlier, the Men in Blue had suffered a 0-3 defeat against New Zealand at home last year and also failed to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
Gautam Gambhir will remain India’s head coach in all three formats
India is in a challenging position in the ICC World Test Championship cycle. BCCI is not planning any change in the leadership. According to ANI, board officials have clarified that Gautam Gambhir will continue to be India’s head coach across all formats, with no discussions going on to replace him.
“He will continue to be the head coach in all three formats, no decision is being considered,” ANI quoted a BCCI source as saying.
Disappointment has increased among supporters after India’s record 408-run defeat to South Africa. After the team’s defeat, angry fans expressed their displeasure by chanting “Gautam Gambhir Hi Hi” against the head coach outside the Barsapara Stadium.
India slips in WTC after third home elimination
India has faced elimination for the third time at home in Test cricket. The first occurred in 2000 against South Africa, and the second occurred in 2024 when New Zealand defeated India 3–0.
Gautam Gambhir has had to face severe criticism during this period. Many fans believe that he relies too much on all-rounders and ignores specialist players. Fans are also unhappy with the recent retirement of senior names like Ravichandran Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara.
The whitewash has pushed India to fifth place in the current World Test Championship table. They have won only four of their nine matches and their points percentage is 48.15.
India will not play Test cricket again until next year’s tour of Sri Lanka. With nine more Tests left in this cycle, including four away matches, the road ahead for Shubman Gill’s team is tough if they hope to reach the WTC final.
India suffered its biggest defeat at home in terms of runs in Test history.
India suffered a heavy defeat by 408 runs in the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati on 27 November. The Proteas defeated them 2–0.
Chasing a target of 549, India started the final day with eight wickets in hand but could not put up any real fight. They were all out for only 140 runs in 63.5 overs. It is noteworthy that this was India’s biggest defeat in terms of runs in Test history at home.
India’s batting struggled throughout the series. They failed to even reach 250 in any innings and the South African attack, particularly Marco Johnson and Simon Harmer, dominated the ball.
The teams will now meet in white-ball cricket, with the three-match ODI series starting in Ranchi on Sunday, November 30. After the ODI matches, the teams will play a five-match T20I series.
Also read: Gautam Gambhir was considered unfit for coaching in Virat Kohli’s camp report, will BCCI pay attention?
