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NEW DELHI: India’s 2-0 Test series capitulation to South Africa has triggered a wave of frustration among fans, much of it directed at head coach Gautam Gambhir. With the team clearly in transition and struggling for consistency, Gambhir’s methods, credentials and lack of red-ball coaching experience have all come under the scanner. As social media outrage grew after the Guwahati defeat, calls for his sacking only became louder.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!But amid the noise, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has stepped forward to defend the embattled coach, making it clear that Gambhir is not the root cause of India’s troubles. Speaking to India Today, Gavaskar said critics were conveniently targeting Gambhir only in moments of failure while ignoring his contributions during victories.
“He’s a coach. The coach can prepare a team… but it’s out there in the middle that the players have to deliver,” Gavaskar said, stressing that accountability cannot flow in only one direction. He then offered a sharp rebuke to Gambhir’s detractors: “To those who are asking for him to be held accountable, my counter-question is: what did you do when India won the Champions Trophy under him? What did you do when India won the Asia Cup under him?”Gavaskar questioned why praise comes so sparingly while criticism rains down so easily. “You’re asking for a sacking now — but did you say then that he should be given an extended contract, a contract for life for one-day cricket and T20 cricket? You didn’t say that. It’s only when a team doesn’t do well, you look at the coach.”
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As conversations turn toward appointing specialist coaches for different formats, Gambhir’s lack of red-ball pedigree has fuelled further debate. But Gavaskar disagreed with the idea that India must split coaching roles, pointing out that several countries have one coach across formats. “Not necessarily. For example, Brendan McCullum is a coach for all three formats for England,” he said, adding that even McCullum’s own mixed results prove that coaches cannot be the sole variable in a team’s success.Gavaskar delivered his most pointed defence with a rhetorical challenge: “If you’re not prepared to give him credit for the Champions Trophy and the Asia Cup win, then please tell me why you want to blame him for the team out there on that 22-yard not doing well. Why are you blaming him?”
