India national cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir was at his furious best at the press conference following the team’s historic humiliation in the home Test series against the South Africa national cricket team.
The Temba Bavuma-led Proteas stunned Team India at home in the recently concluded two-match Test series and registered a stunning 2-0 clean sweep.
India had to suffer fresh humiliation
India built a fort at home and they remained unbeatable in the Test series for a long period. Many leading teams toured India during the period 2012–23, but suffered embarrassing defeats.
From Australia to England to South Africa, every team has struggled to beat India in a Test series, but things turned sour in 2024 when New Zealand stunned Rohit Sharma & Co.
India, led by captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir, suffered a 0-3 defeat at the hands of the New Zealand national cricket team. And now under the same head coach and leaders, Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, India suffered another whitewash at the hands of the Proteas.
India have lost five home Test matches in the 2024–25 period, which is the same number of Test matches they lost at home during the longer period of 2012–23.
Whatever decision we have taken, it has been taken in the best interest of the team – Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir attended the post-match press conference, where he was asked whether he was the right person to remain the head coach of India in Test cricket.
Responding to this, Gautam Gambhir said that the decision on his future has to be taken by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). He said:
“To be honest, there is no hindrance in the game. Whatever decisions we have taken, we have taken in the best interest of the team and we completely believe that they were the right decisions that could work for the country and the team.”
“And the second question, it is up to the BCCI to decide. I said it in my first press conference when I took over as head coach. Indian cricket is important, I am not important. And I sit here and say exactly the same thing.”
I am the same person who got results in England – Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir is no diplomatic man as he did not stop there and kept reminding the journalists about the success he has achieved since becoming the head coach.
He clearly said that India performed well under his coaching in the five-match Test series in England and they also won the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and Asia Cup 2025. He said:
“And yes, people may keep forgetting about it. I’m the same guy who got results with the youth team in England as well. And I’m sure you guys will forget that soon because a lot of people keep talking about New Zealand.”
“And I am the same person who won, led (India) to the Champions Trophy and the Asia Cup as well. Yes, this is a team which has less experience. And I have said it before, that they need to keep learning and they are doing everything possible to turn the situation around.”
Also read: Gautam Gambhir, Rishabh Pant are disappointed after India’s defeat in the home Test series against South Africa