calls to “Sack Gautam Gambhir as soon as possible” Social media was flooded after India suffered a crushing defeat against South Africa in the two-match Test series on home soil. The visitors dominated the second Test in Guwahati after setting a target of 549 runs and then bowling out India for 140 runs in the second innings. As India suffered a series defeat at home, fans’ anger grew as hashtags targeting the head coach started trending across platforms.
As India’s batting collapsed at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, disappointed supporters vented their anger on Gambhir and blamed his tactics, selection and frequent cuts and changes for the team’s decline in red-ball cricket. Posts demanding his dismissal, including messages such as “Remove coach Gautam Gambhir and watch this team start winning home Tests again” And “If you have even a little bit of shame left in you, sack Gambhir mid-Test.”The meltdown went viral as soon as it surfaced. idiom “Sack Gautam Gambhir as soon as possible” Trended prominently on X, many users blame former opener “Ruined” India’s Test setup through excessive experimentation and alleged preference for IPL-style players
Fire Gautam Gambhir as soon as possible#Have some Shame #TeamIndia #INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/PSi98weJGB
– Kumar Saurav (@AdamDhoni1) 26 November 2025
I say it one more time
Gautam Gambhir has completely ruined the Indian cricket team.#INDvsSA #GautamGambhir #testcricket pic.twitter.com/a3R4wjVdcy
-Mamata Jaipal (@ImMD45) 26 November 2025
#INDvsSA #testcricket #GautamGambhir pic.twitter.com/RyL7NqFtHS
– Poonam🦋 (@missintrover) 26 November 2025
𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮 Under serious (𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁/𝗢𝗗𝗜𝘀)
– After 27 years, no bilateral ODI series lost against Sri Lanka
– For the first time, lost 30 wickets in a 3-match ODI series
– After 45 years, India remains winless in ODIs in a calendar year
– After 36 years, India lost the test to New Zealand on home ground
– 19 years later,… pic.twitter.com/FWiZtCqiqm– 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) 26 November 2025
I demand the Indian Government to give Bharat Ratna to Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar for these difficult achievements for Team India in just 1 year. #IndvsSA pic.twitter.com/z5JpekDHFm
– Vinay Kumar Dokania (@VinayDokania) 26 November 2025
South Africa won its first Test series against India in India after 25 years
Reason Lord Gautam Gambhir #INDvsSA , #testcricket pic.twitter.com/jX65tG5iUf
– Vishal (@VishalMalvi_) 26 November 2025
South Africa finally won a Test series against India in India after 25 years.
And yes, the reason behind this is Lord Gautam Gambhir.#INDvsSA , #testcricket pic.twitter.com/KGB5FZmpbC– Rudra Suhadia (@RudraSuhadia) 26 November 2025
I told you, this dark era for Indian cricket under Gautam Gambhir will be known as the 2G scam.
– Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) 26 November 2025
Thanks to Gautam Gambhir for making us the most embarrassing test team in the world!! pic.twitter.com/15HT8uQ51Z
– Rajeev (@Rajeev1841) 26 November 2025
Shastri era 🗿
Dravidian era 🗿
serious era 🤡 pic.twitter.com/OPeGmvtHLo– Dinda Academy (@academy_dinda) 26 November 2025
Gambhir’s Test record is under scrutiny due to criticism from veterans
Gambhir’s Test record as head coach has come under intense scrutiny, with India suffering a 0–2 home defeat in South Africa, a 0–3 defeat against New Zealand and a 3–1 series defeat in Australia during his tenure. While India managed to secure a 2–0 home win over the West Indies, they gave South Africa only their second Test series win in India in 25 years, an innings that significantly strained the fans’ patience. Former India stars Ravi Shastri, Anil Kumble and Kris Srikkanth also publicly questioned India’s disorganized selection and tactical decisions, further increasing the pressure on Gambhir.
One of the biggest flashpoints has been Gambhir’s strategy of seeking out spin-friendly pitches on home soil, with critics saying the move has repeatedly backfired due to batting collapse on turning tracks. His preference for including an XI with multiple all-rounders and leaving out established red-ball performers in favor of shorter format specialists has also sparked debate about the direction of the team. The collapse in Guwahati, where India lost six wickets for 27 runs after a solid first innings start, was initially seen by fans as a symptom of deeper structural issues rather than a bad day in the middle.
