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“Back it up with performance”: Kumble questions Gambhir amid India’s collapse vs SA

Aakash Saini

Gautam Gambhir and Anil Kumble [Source: @ILoveYouJanu68, @Teamindiacrick/x]Gautam Gambhir and Anil Kumble [Source: @ILoveYouJanu68, @Teamindiacrick/x]

Team India’s struggles have deepened in the second Test against South Africa, putting them on the brink of suffering another series whitewash on home soil. After losing the series-opener by 30 runs at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata last week, the Indian team fell 288 runs short of South Africa at the halfway stage of the Guwahati Test.

To make matters worse, the South African lead soared past the 500-run mark by lunch on Day 4. Questioning India’s lacklustre outing, former cricketer Anil Kumble recently slammed national coach Gautam Gambhir over the latter’s bold statement from before the start of the series.

Anil Kumble has a stern warning for Gautam Gambhir

Before the start of the ongoing Test series, Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir had boldly claimed that he wanted to make the Indian team capable of “scoring 400 in a day as well as bat for two days to salvage a draw.”

Anil Kumble took note of Gambhir’s remarks and had a stern message for the Indian head coach while giving his expert opinion on JioHotstar. Kumble asked the current head coach to “back up his words”, and urged the Indian team to demonstrate its character against the WTC champions. He said:

“You just have to back up those words. You have an opportunity here against the best side in world cricket today. They (South Africa) have won the trophy (World Test Championship). Can't have a better chance of making a match and saying, 'Okay, this is our character. We are here to play and we can win. If we don't win at least, we fight it out and ensure we don't lose.' Yeah, those words are fine but you need it back it up (with performance) on the field today.”

Team India bundled out for just 201 on Day 3 to fall 288 runs behind South Africa’s first innings total of 489. The Indian batters crumbled in front of Marco Jansen (6-48) and Simon Harmer (3-64) as the threat of facing yet another home whitewash looms.

At the time of publishing, South Africa reached 243-4 to extend its lead up to 531 runs.