Under head coach Gautam Gambhir, Team India has lost another Test series at home. South Africa whitewashed India in the two-match series. South Africa won the second Test in Guwahati by 498 runs. This is India’s biggest defeat in terms of runs in Test cricket. South Africa has won a Test series in India after 25 years.
Gambhir’s strategy of making frequent changes in the Indian team and using all-rounders instead of specialists in the Test format is being criticized. At the same time, the coach believes that extremely talented players are not needed in Test cricket.
Surprising comments from Gautam Gambhir after Guwahati Test
“You don’t need extremely flamboyant and talented cricketers to play Test cricket. We need players with limited skills and a strong mindset. They make good Test cricketers,” Gambhir said at a press conference on Wednesday.
Gambhir’s current Test record as a coach is not good. Under him, India has won seven of the 19 Test matches, lost 10, and drawn two. Gambhir’s win percentage is 36.82, trailing only former Indian coach Duncan Fletcher, who has a win percentage of 33.33 after 17 losses, 13 wins, and 9 draws in 39 Tests. Under Gambhir’s leadership, India has so far lost five Tests against New Zealand and South Africa at home.
This is the first time in the last 66 years that the Indian team has lost five Tests in a span of seven months. This is the third time that a team has whitewashed India on its home soil. Before this, South Africa had won the series 2-0 in 2000, while New Zealand had won 3-0 last year.
The coach said, “My future will be decided by the BCCI. I said this in my first press conference when I became the head coach. Indian cricket is important, not me. I am saying the same thing today.”
He added, “People forget, but I am the same person who got you good results in England with a young team. I am sure you will forget it soon because most people keep talking about New Zealand (the 0-3 loss in India last month). I also led them to victory in the Champions Trophy and the Asia Cup.”