Gautam Gambhir's tenure as India's head coach is facing turbulent times following a recent Test series whitewash against South Africa. The 0-2 defeat at home has triggered a wave of criticism aimed at Gambhir, with some fans even chanting for his removal. Amidst the storm, former Indian spinner R Ashwin has stepped forward to defend Gambhir, urging that players should take more responsibility for the team's performance.
The Test series loss has amplified concerns about India's stability in the longest format of the game. Under Gambhir, India has won seven, lost ten, and drawn two of the 19 Tests they have played, resulting in a win rate of just under 37 percent. While there have been some successes, such as home series wins against Bangladesh and the West Indies, major setbacks, including a 0-3 home whitewash against New Zealand in 2024, have overshadowed these achievements. The recent loss to South Africa marked India's second home Test series whitewash under Gambhir's coaching.
Ashwin has cautioned against a rush to assign blame, emphasizing that players must also be held accountable for their performances. He stressed that individual attacks on the coach are unwarranted, highlighting the complexity of managing a team and the inevitability of mistakes. Speaking on his YouTube show 'Ash ki Baat', Ashwin questioned the negativity surrounding Gambhir, whose contract extends until 2027. "Why are we doing this? It's a sport. Managing a team cannot be that easy. And yes, he is hurting too. We must understand that," Ashwin said. He further added, "It might feel nice to get someone sacked, but that's not how it should be".
Ashwin also addressed the issue of team balance, which some believe has been disrupted by Gambhir's strategy of supporting all-rounders. He stressed that the skill to perform ultimately lies with the players. "Put yourself in the coach's position. You may say a player needs continuity and that there has been a lot of rotation, fine, agreed. But the skill to play and perform is the player's responsibility," Ashwin explained. He also stated that he had not seen enough responsibility taken by the players to justify blaming Gambhir.
While defending Gambhir, Ashwin acknowledged the need for accountability, especially given India's strong home record. However, he insisted that the spotlight should not solely be on the coach. "We want to ask for responsibility. It's easy, because in Indian cricket there's a lot to gain and a lot of money involved," he said. Ashwin also pointed out the limitations of a coach's role, stating, "a coach cannot pick up the bat and go out to play".
Furthermore, Ashwin has previously voiced concerns regarding team selections under Gambhir's coaching, particularly the repeated sidelining of Arshdeep Singh in T20Is. Despite Arshdeep's impressive track record, Ashwin expressed his disbelief at the bowler's absence from the playing XI, suggesting that Arshdeep should be a regular fixture in the team.
Despite facing criticism, Gambhir's supporters, like Ashwin, are emphasizing the need for a balanced perspective, urging fans and critics alike to recognize the players' responsibility in the team's performance and avoid singling out the coach for blame.
