After India thrashed South Africa in a comfortable chase of 271 to clinch the home series 2-1, head coach Gautam Gambhir is almost back in the mood to take a dig at those who dare to criticize his coaching skills. This time, the Delhi Capitals owner was on Gambhir’s radar after he suggested a divided coaching system after India’s Test series loss to the Proteas.
On Saturday, Yashasvi Jaiswal scored his maiden century, while great Indian batsmen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma scored respective fifties to help India chase down 271 with ease. This came after a tough defeat in the Raipur game, where the Indian bowlers failed to defend the total of 358 runs.
After winning the ODI series after a tragic defeat in the Test series, head coach Gautam Gambhir was relieved in the press conference, and with a wicked smile on his face, he slowly and gently hit back at his critics who had maligned his reputation after the Test tragedy.
Gautam Gambhir criticizes Delhi Capitals owner for suggesting split coaching across all formats for India
Addressing the press after India’s win in Visakhapatnam, head coach Gautam Gambhir, despite admitting that results in red-ball cricket have not gone his way, talked about the nature of the criticism he has received.
The Indian coach criticized the IPL team owner for crossing a line and suggesting a split coaching role in the Indian team across all formats. He failed to directly name Delhi Capitals owner Parth Jindal.
Gambhir said about the comments made by the DC owner, “Some of these things have been said by people who have no connection with cricket. An IPL owner also wrote about divided coaching. It is very surprising. It is important for people to stay in their own domain. We do not go into their domain. So, they have no right to interfere in what we do.”
While Gautam Gambhir has been unfailingly successful in the white-ball format, he has struggled in Test cricket, as India have not produced many results in his favour. The coach has also not been spared, as he has received heavy criticism for his lack of success in the red ball.
Gautam Gambhir said that India has suffered a big blow in the form of their injured captain. Shubman Gill was dropped midway through the series, as he failed to bat in any innings of the two Tests, and Gambhir cited this as a prelude to India’s tragic defeat. He seemed disappointed that it was not mentioned or highlighted in any media reports.
Gautam Gambhir said, “A lot has been said, no doubt about it. Yes, the results did not go our way. But, the most shocking thing in all this is that not a single media house, not a single journalist mentioned that the first Test we played, we were without our captain, who did not bat in both the innings.”
He also said that he did not make any excuse on the condition of the pitch, but took the blame for the defeat on himself. Additionally, the fact is that during any transition phase, it is very difficult to lose the most in-form batsman of the team, and that is what happened to India after Gill’s injury.
“The difference was 30 runs. I don’t make any excuses by coming to press conferences; it doesn’t mean you won’t bring all the facts before the world.”
It becomes difficult when you are facing a great opponent and lose your captain midway through the Test. The most surprising thing was that no one discussed it. Whatever was discussed was about the pitch, I don’t know what else people said,” Gautam Gambhir said.
India’s next match in T-20 will be against South Africa
After a spectacular win in the ODI, India has leveled up with South Africa on the entire tour. Now they will face each other in the T20 series, which will start from Tuesday, December 9.
Veterans like Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah have returned to the Indian team, while Shubman Gill has also returned after a short gap due to injury. Captain Suryakumar Yadav has brought some form from the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy as India look to continue their unbeaten run in T20s.
Also read: Virat Kohli reveals his and Rohit Sharma’s “something special” mission for India
