Former Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has defended Gautam Gambhir against the intense criticism he has faced following India’s recent home Test series loss to South Africa. The Proteas handed India a 0‑2 defeat, with the second Test ending in a 408‑run loss—the heaviest margin by runs on Indian soil. Gavaskar questioned the logic of blaming Gambhir for the team’s poor performance, noting that the same critics had not credited him for India’s successes in the Champions Trophy and Asia Cup earlier this year. He argued that it is unfair to single out Gambhir when the team loses while ignoring his contributions to its victories.
The 76‑year‑old icon also raised concerns about the scheduling of matches, suggesting that the short turnaround between series leaves the team with inadequate preparation time. He pointed out that India’s calendar is often dictated by market forces, with the team frequently asked to play abroad to boost TV revenue. Gavaskar emphasized that the Indian cricket board should prioritize the home season and schedule matches accordingly.
Gambhir has left the decision about his future to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), but highlighted his achievements as coach, including the Champions Trophy and Asia Cup wins. The team will next face South Africa in a three‑match ODI series starting on November 30. The debate over Gambhir’s future has sparked a wider discussion about the team’s performance and the factors contributing to recent losses. As India looks to regroup and prepare for upcoming series, the role of the coach and the scheduling of matches are likely to remain key areas of focus. With the next series just around the corner, the BCCI and the coaching staff will be under pressure to deliver improved results and address the concerns raised by Gavaskar and others.
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