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"Players have to...": Gavaskar bluntly defends Gambhir in blame game after SA loss

Soumyajit Dutta

Gautam Gambhir and Sunil Gavaskar [Source: @ImYorker93/X.com]Gautam Gambhir and Sunil Gavaskar [Source: @ImYorker93/X.com]

Following India's heavy 408-run defeat to South Africa, which sealed a 0-2 Test series loss, head coach Gautam Gambhir faced intense criticism, and India legend Sunil Gavaskar stepped up to defend him.

Gavaskar argued that people were quick to blame Gautam Gambhir for the Test failure but did not praise him for India's recent limited-overs successes. 

Gavaskar blasts Gambhir's critics

In a conversation with India Today, Gavaskar pointed out this double standard and questioned the critics. Gavaskar emphasised that a coach can only prepare the team, and it is ultimately the players who must perform on the field.

“He's a coach. The coach can prepare a team. The coach can tell, you know, a guy with his experience. But it's out there in the middle that the players have to deliver. Now, to those who are asking, you know, for him to be held accountable, my question, 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 said.

Gavaskar further said:

“Did you say then—you're asking for a sacking now—did you say then that he should be given an extended contract, a contract for life for one day cricket and for T20 cricket? You didn't say that. It's only when a team doesn't do well you look at the coach,” Gavaskar added.

Gavaskar cites McCullum as an example of umbrella coach

The former India captain also dismissed the idea that a single coach cannot handle all three formats, using England's Brendon McCullum as a successful example.

“Not necessarily. You have coaches, for example, Brendan McCullum is a coach for all three formats for England. A lot of countries have a coach who is there for all formats. But we tend to only look and point a finger at somebody when the team has lost," Gavaskar added.

Gavaskar concluded by reiterating that it is illogical to blame the coach for losses without giving him credit for the team's victories.

“You're not prepared to give him credit. 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?” Gavaskar concluded.

After India's shambolic loss at the hands of the visitors, which saw many unwanted records made, the Men in Blue will move on to the next assignment as the white-ball tour begins on November 30.